Runner's Hematuria

If you are a runner, particularly of the long-distance sort, you may have been startled to discover blood in your urine following a race. It's a not uncommon occurrence for men, but much more unusual among women. The condition is called runner's hematuria.

How the blood gets into the urine is still a bit of a mystery (although its rare instances for women have led some researchers to believe that exercise-induced damage to the prostate may have something to do with it).

Kidneys might also be the culprit, as dysmorphic red blood cells are often found in urinalysis. Kidneys are deprived of as much as 80 percent of their usual blood flow during a long-distance run. This can damage a small number of cells sufficiently that they can leak. Bleeding following a shorter run could indicate a problem with the bladder which injures itself as its parts flap together.

There are two types of hematuria possible following exercise, “microscopic” and “gross.” If you have the first, you likely won't know, as by definition microscopic hematuria is invisible to the unaided eye. It is, however, more common than gross hematuria, the visible kind.

If you do see blood in your urine following a long-distance run or other strenuous exercise, doctors recommend taking it easy for 48 to 72 hours before getting overly concerned. If, on the other hand, you are also experiencing symptoms such as low back pain or fever accompany, you may have an infection, so see a physician directly.

Your doctor will likely conduct a urinalysis to determine the cause of the bleeding. This may be followed by an imaging test such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or an ultrasound examination.

In some cases, more difficult to diagnose, your doctor may perform a cystoscopy. This is a procedure in which a narrow tube fitted with a tiny camera is inserted into your bladder to closely examine both the bladder and urethra for signs of disease.

There is no particular treatment for hematuria; your doctor will address the cause of this condition, once diagnosed.