For example, it controls digestion, respiration, the contractions of the heart and of smooth muscles in blood vessels, and the release, by the endocrine system, of hormones which regulate metabolism and growth. Hormones themselves can influence behaviour by their effects on specific parts of the brain.
Hematuria is also common in older men due to the use of certain medications or prostate enlargement. Blood in urine may occur due to infection, inflammation, or injury to the urinary system. Small amounts of blood are typically associated with kidney damage, while lower urinary tract conditions lead to gross hematuria. Kidney and ureter stones commonly cause hematuria in individuals younger than 40 years of age.
Sickle cell anemia â a chronic shortage of red blood cells â can be the cause of blood in urine, both gross and microscopic hematuria. So can Alport syndrome, which affects the filtering membranes in the glomeruli of the kidneys. Kidney injury. A blow or other injury to your kidneys from an accident or contact sports can cause blood in your urine that you can see. Medications.