Differential Diagnosis for Bright Red Blood in the Urine
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): This is the most common cause of bright red blood in the urine, especially in women. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as dysuria, frequency, and urgency.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Kidney Stones: Stones in the urinary tract can cause bleeding, and the presence of blood in the urine is often accompanied by severe pain.
- Bladder Cancer: Although less common, bladder cancer can cause bright red blood in the urine, especially in older adults with a history of smoking.
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Enlargement of the prostate gland can cause bleeding, especially in older men.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Renal Trauma: Trauma to the kidney can cause severe bleeding, and it is essential to consider this diagnosis in patients with a history of trauma.
- Vasculitis: Conditions such as IgA nephropathy or systemic lupus erythematosus can cause kidney inflammation and bleeding.
- Bleeding Disorders: Conditions such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease can increase the risk of bleeding in the urinary tract.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Sickle Cell Disease: This genetic disorder can cause sickling of red blood cells in the urinary tract, leading to bleeding.
- Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): A rare condition where there is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins, which can cause bleeding in the urinary tract.
- Tuberculosis: A rare cause of bleeding in the urinary tract, often accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss and fever.
- Metabolic Disorders: Certain metabolic disorders, such as hyperoxaluria, can increase the risk of kidney stones and bleeding.