The condition of the urogenital tract is shown by parameters such as leukocytes (they are also white blood cells) and erythrocytes in the urine. Accurate diagnosis is important to their availability - this is already considered a deviation - and quantity. Exceeding the permissible norm with a few exceptions indicates the formation and course of pathological processes in the body. The level of red cells in urine can be detected after a general clinical analysis .
What is red blood cells
Before understanding the possible causes of increased rates, you need to know what red blood cells are; the definition of this concept is as follows: these are special blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs and back; to body tissues, muscles and transport carbon dioxide back. They purify the blood of toxins and give it a familiar red color due to the high content of hemoglobin protein. With the help of red blood cells, nutrition and respiration of the body are carried out.
Externally, the cells look like disks with a central depression, they do not have a nucleus. They are elastin and can be twisted, easily penetrating into the smallest vessels. The place of appearance of erythrocytes in the human body is the red bone marrow located in the spine, ribs, inside the bones of the skull. Each cell goes a long way before going into the vascular bed: it grows, changes size, shape and composition.
Whether there can be erythrocytes in urine
The search for red blood cells in urine is necessary for diagnosis. Erythrocytes are not detected in the urine under normal conditions, but in children should be completely absent. Blood cells can overcome the natural barrier of the vessel wall for injuries, injuries, inflammations, which is indicated by erythrocytes in the urine. Then the cells are visible under a microscope (in the so-called field of view of the device) or with the naked eye. These concepts describe two terms:
- Microhematurgy. The number of erythrocytes is insignificant, one or two blood cells in the visible region.
- Macrohematurgy. The excess of the norm is considerable, the urine acquires a red tint.
Changed erythrocytes in the urine
Elevated erythrocytes in the urine are the first to indicate abnormalities. How serious is the problem and what is its cause can be explained by the appearance of the cells. Official medicine distinguishes two varieties of red blood cells, which in urine can be detected: unchanged and altered. The latter - leached cells that lose hemoglobin, change the structure, shape, accompanied by the presence of protein. Similar erythrocytes in the urine of women and men talk about changes and disorders in the genitourinary system.
Erythrocytes unchanged in the urine
In the case where the cells are unchanged, their parameters remain the same. They do not lose hemoglobin, structure and their function as a transporter. What is erythrocytes in urine, deformations not undergone? These are fresh cells that have got from the damaged blood vessels of the bladder, the mucous membranes of the ureters, etc. They get into the urine and with the bleeding open in the uterus.
Erythrocytes in urine - the norm
After the analysis of urine, erythrocytes are detected in a small amount, which is the norm. For natural reasons, they can get into the period of menstruation and sexual intercourse (concerns men with uncircumcised foreskin), and also after active loads, stay in a bath, abuse of spicy food and alcohol. The permissible number of red bodies in a healthy person:
- up to one in the field of view of the analytical device in men;
- up to three in women.
Erythrocytes in urine are elevated - causes
If the following is revealed and proven: erythrocytes in the urine are increased, the causes for women and men are different, associated with various abnormalities of the organs of the reproductive system. This prostatitis, prostate cancer, erosion of the cervix and uterine bleeding. But there are common pathologies. Erythrocytes in urine, what does this mean when a person is not healthy? They are typical symptoms:
- kidney diseases (cancer, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, etc.);
- postrenal pathologies associated with the bladder and urethra;
- the consequence of somatic causes - intoxication, hemophilia , a decrease in the level of platelets.
What if the red blood cells in the urine are elevated?
Only laboratory analysis (microhematurgy) is able to show that erythrocytes in the urine are elevated. For detailed analysis, several samples are assigned, which are placed in 3 different capacities. After studying under a microscope, the cause of the occurrence becomes clear. If the number of blood cells in all test tubes is the same, it means that the blood comes from the kidneys. If red blood cells are found only in the first container, there is a high probability that there is a disease of the bladder, and if in the third tube - in the urinary system.
Further actions and treatment are appointed based on the result. How can a patient help a doctor? It is necessary to clarify whether there have been any changes in the diet for the past week, whether there were injuries, fatigue, whether any medications were used. This will help the doctor find out whether the rise in red body levels is due to a physiological cause or development of pathologies. Sometimes, after normalizing the daily routine, observing the diet and excluding provoking factors, the tests come back to normal. But after 20-30 days, you need to do a second study.
Erythrocytes in the urine of pregnant women
It happens that a clinical analysis reveals erythrocytes in the urine during pregnancy , which is not always dangerous and is a violation. Increasing at times the uterus and the child in it press on the kidneys, which are so working in a strengthened mode. Change in blood circulation and renal filtration leads to the appearance of blood cells. During pregnancy, the norm of erythrocytes in the urine of women is 2 units. In the average analysis - 3-5 on the field of view, which is not a deviation. If there are more cells, urination is accompanied by pain, burning, temperature and other symptoms, there is a pathology.
With the help of urine analysis, you can identify virtually any disease. Therefore, this laboratory study precedes many diagnostic measures. Erythrocytes in the urine along with proteins and leukocytes give doctors a clear picture of the general condition of the patient, the work of his internal organs. Exceeding the level of cells requires careful study and medical intervention.