Finding blood in your urine after strenuous physical activity may be quite a scare. Many individuals think it is just a temporary problem caused by strenuous exercise, but this issue should not be ignored, as it may indicate a serious underlying medical condition.
Blood in the urine is called hematuria and may occur after strenuous physical activity before disappearing within a day. As mentioned by Dr Ankit Sharma, Consultant – Urology, Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune, it can also indicate an underlying issue that needs to be treated.
Why does blood appear in urine after exercise?
Exercise-associated hematuria is often linked to rigorous activities such as marathon running, long-distance cycling or intensive gym workouts.
As per Dr Sharma, the causes could be:
- Irritation of the bladder due to the impact of exercise
- Dehydration
- Stress on the body caused by prolonged exercise sessions
Nonetheless, there are several other causes of blood in the urine, including:
- UTIs (urinary tract infections)
- Stones in the kidney or bladder
- Enlarged prostate gland in older men
- Kidney disorders
- Bladder, urethral or kidney tumours
Warning signs you should never ignore
If there is blood in your urine, it is advisable to consult a doctor, especially if you experience the following symptoms:
- Pain in the back, sides or lower abdomen
- Pain or a burning sensation during urination
- Increased frequency of urination
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- Fever or chills
As observed by Dr Sharma, blood in the urine may not always be visible and may require a urine test for detection.
How do doctors find the cause?
To determine the cause of hematuria, doctors will first conduct a medical history review and physical examination. Based on the symptoms, they may prescribe:
- Urine tests
- Blood tests to check kidney function
- Ultrasound or CT scan
- Cystoscopy, which involves using a camera to look inside the bladder
These tests help identify the source of the bleeding and rule out serious causes of hematuria.
Does it always need surgery?
It is not always necessary. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Here are some examples:
- Urinary tract infections are treated with medicines.
- Dehydration is managed by drinking enough fluids.
- Small kidney stones can pass without treatment.
- Larger stones may require laser treatment or endoscopic surgery.
The treatment is selected based on the diagnosed condition rather than the symptom.
When should you visit a urologist?
Even if the blood disappears after a day, Dr Sharma advises consulting a doctor rather than treating it as a one-off incident.
This can help diagnose infections, kidney stones, kidney disease or, in rare cases, cancer of the urinary tract. The earlier the diagnosis, the easier the treatment.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
