When you think of pain and discomfort brought on by running, the first things that come to mind most likely include burning or fatigued legs, searing lung pain, or beleaguered knee or hip joints. Left out of this list are systemic problems that are not typically associated with running, but may be triggered or worsened by heavy exercise. These include cramping and even bleeding in various organs and tissues.
Abdominal Cramps
Most runners experience gastrointestinal distress from time to time, depending on the length of the run, hydration status, food intake before and sometimes during the run. Dr. Mark Jenkins of Rice University says that up to half of endurance athletes experience some type of gastrointestinal upset, including flatulence, diarrhea, bloating and intestinal cramps. Dehydration is often the underlying cause, and Jenkins recommends drinking beverages containing less than 10 percent glucose by volume, because more concentrated drinks are absorbed more slowly and therefore cause more gastrointestinal cramps.
Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps can strike virtually any part of the body, although the larger muscles of the leg are the most common targets. They often appear without warning, and the pain they cause can be excruciating. According to "The New York Times," 39 percent of marathon runners, 79 percent of triathletes and 60 percent of cyclists experience muscle cramps at some point during their chosen activity. Although some underlying conditions, such as arteriosclerosis and nerve damage, are known to precipitate muscle cramps, the causes of most such cramps remain largely unknown.
Vaginal Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding is rarely caused by exercise per se, but certain health conditions can potentiate bleeding during strenuous activity. According to Dr. Cathy Fiesler, uterine fibroids, vaginal or cervical lesions, polyps and fibroids in the uterus and blood-clotting abnormalities may cause vaginal bleeding during a workout. Systemic disorders, such as thyroid and liver disorders, can also cause this type of bleeding. If you experience this, visit your doctor, who will most likely perform a blood test to rule out hormonal problems and an ultrasound to look for abnormal growths.
Nosebleeds
According to the website Health Central, strenuous exercise alone can cause nosebleeds, but this is more likely to happen in certain environments. Extremely cold, dry air, such as that found at high altitudes, irritates the nasal mucosa and increases the chances of a nosebleed. People with high blood pressure, allergies, a cold or sinusitis are more susceptible to nosebleeds, and medications such as aspirin and the blood thinner Coumadin interfere with clotting and make nosebleeds during exercise more likely.
