TRAUMA TO THE KIDNEY

Injury to the urinary tract may at times produce blood in the urine. This is
particularly a problem in contact sports, since the kidneys are easily traumatized.
Long distance runners also frequently show signs of kidney damage
with elevated enzymes and blood in the urine. This may be related not only to
the metabolic breakdown of muscle during severe exercise, but also to the
dehydration that results from profound sweating. In most cases of urinary
trauma where the urethra, bladder, or ureters have not been ruptured bed rest
combined with hot packs and adequate fluid intake will produce a rapid cure.