Strenuous exercise can cause hematuria, or blood in the urine. While it can occur with any type of activity, runners are particularly prone to this problem, according to MayoClinic.com. In most cases, it is no cause for concern but see a doctor to ensure it is not triggered by an underlying condition.
Cause
Running-induced hematuria can result from different causes. Dr. Carol Otis, writing for Sportsdoctor.com, explains the jarring motion of running impacts the bladder wall, leading to bruising and bleeding. Red blood cells can also accumulate in the urine during intense exercise.
Treatment
Unlike other conditions linked to hematuria, such as a urinary tract infection, no treatment exists for running-induced blood in the urine. The problem typically resolves itself two to three days after it starts.
Reducing Occurences
Though no treatment exists, taking certain actions might reduce the occurrence of hematuria. Exercise physiologist Andrew Bosch, writing for "Running Times" magazine, explains hematuria due to bladder trauma is more likely to occur when the bladder is empty. Refraining from urination before a run might help. The accumulation of red blood cells in the urine results when your body redirects blood from the kidneys, whose filtering processes normally separate blood from the urine; Otis explains that inadequate fluid intake can exacerbate this process and lead to more blood in the urine.
Seeing a Doctor
In most cases, running-induced hematuria results from the aforementioned causes and does not raise any cause for concern. Sometimes however, it could indicate a more serious problem. If you experience blood in the urine for the first time after running, see your doctor to rule out possible underlying causes such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, kidney infection or disease or certain types of cancer. If the problem persists beyond two or three days or you experience other symptoms along with it such as fever or low back pain, see your doctor.
