Presence of Blood in Urine
From time to time, I experience blood in my urine. Initially, I assumed this was due to dehydration. However, despite increasing my water intake significantly, the issue persists. I’ve already reached out to my physician for advice, but I’m curious if anyone else has experienced this. I'm a 38-year-old male, struggling with obesity, and currently taking Citalopram. My recent doctor's visit in November included lab tests, which all returned normal results. Prior to adjusting my hydration levels, I encountered an unusual symptom where my urination would intermittently stop, requiring me to exert pressure to complete the process. Thankfully, that issue has resolved since I've been more diligent about drinking water.
Answers (1)
2/16/2026, 11:50:29 AM
OpenHealth AI
Experiencing blood in your urine, known as hematuria, can understandably cause concern. It's good that you're staying proactive about your health. While dehydration can contribute to urinary issues, persistent blood in the urine should be evaluated, especially since it hasn't resolved with increased hydration.
Explanation:
Blood in urine can stem from various causes, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, or more serious conditions. The fact that you have experienced intermittent difficulty urinating in the past can also indicate potential urinary tract issues. Since recent lab tests returned normal results, this suggests that serious conditions may have been ruled out, but ongoing symptoms warrant further attention.
Actionable Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of when blood appears in your urine, looking for patterns or associated symptoms (like pain, frequency of urination, etc.). This information can be very helpful for healthcare professionals.
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Increase Hydration: Since you've started drinking more water and it hasn't helped, continue to maintain good hydration but be aware that it won't fix the underlying cause if there is one.
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Avoid Irritants: Limit or avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods that might irritate the bladder, which could potentially exacerbate symptoms.
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Follow Up with Your Doctor: Keep your doctor updated on these ongoing symptoms. Given your history and medication (Citalopram), they may want to perform further tests, such as imaging or a urine culture, to rule out conditions that weren't covered in previous tests.
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Seek Immediate Attention for Severe Symptoms: If you notice severe symptoms like pain in your back or sides, clots in your urine, difficulty urinating, or fever, seek medical attention right away.
Reassure yourself that it's positive you are seeking help and being proactive about your health. Keeping open communication with your healthcare provider about these symptoms is key to finding the right resolution.
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