Renal complications of exercise

Exercise-related conditions such as proteinuria and hematuria are relatively common and represent diagnoses of exclusion. A variety of renal disorders with identical presenting signs and symptoms must be excluded as underlying disorders. The relationship of the onset to and clearance after exercise of the findings is key to making the diagnosis of these exercise-related conditions. Athletes with sports hematuria or proteinuria are not prone to develop renal disease but must be followed closely to exclude the development of a significant underlying problem. Fortunately, acute renal failure is a rare and preventable life-threatening complication of exercise. Appropriate training techniques and adequate fluid replacement are key in prevention, as are prompt recognition and treatment of dehydration and disorders of thermoregulation. Prevention and prompt recognition are also the first steps in the approach to renal trauma. Close observation and conservative management of the athlete with renal trauma will result in salvaging more kidneys.