Too Much EXERCISE Could Harm You
Understanding Rhabdomyolysis: The danger of pushing your limits too fast.
HEALTH & FITNESS WARNING
Too Much EXERCISE Could Harm You
Understanding Rhabdomyolysis: The danger of pushing your limits too fast.
What is Rhabdomyolysis?
Rhabdomyolysis is the destruction of skeletal muscles, caused by any mechanism that results in injury to myocytes (a type of cell found inside the muscle tissue) and their membranes (or lining). When the muscles break down, it releases myoglobin, an overwhelming amount of which may poison the kidney, causing kidney damage.
It had been initially associated almost exclusively with traumatic conditions or injury, but non-traumatic causes are now five times more frequent. Some non-traumatic causes include abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs, and other medical conditions.
Causes and Risk Factors
► Strenuous Exercise: Rhabdo is increasingly seen in people engaged in intense workouts like spinning, weightlifting, running, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
► Beginners at High Risk: While regular exercisers can develop it by pushing themselves too hard, it is significantly more prevalent in beginners who start new routines too aggressively.
► Non-Traumatic Factors: Non-exercise causes, which are five times more frequent than traumatic injuries, include alcohol/illicit drug abuse, and other specific medical conditions.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Non-Specific Indicators
Many initial symptoms can be mistaken for simple post-workout soreness or the flu, making recognition difficult.
- ✓Severe Muscle Pain (myalgia)
- ✓Muscle Swelling and Weakness
- ✓Unexplained Fever or Fatigue
- ✓Nausea, Vomiting, or Confusion
🚨 CRITICAL SIGN
The most definitive symptom that usually prompts a patient to seek consultation is a visible change in their urine.
BROWN-RED URINE
This is caused by the presence of myoglobin (from the damaged muscles) being filtered by the kidneys.
⚠️ Dreaded Complications
- Acute Kidney Failure: May require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
- Hyperkalemia: Too much potassium in the blood, leading to electrical abnormalities in the heart, and potentially death.
5 Critical Prevention Steps
While pushing limits for fitness is commendable, always remember your body’s limitations. Transforming your health is possible without causing injury.
1. Start Slow
Gradual Progression
Be slow and gradual when beginning a new type of workout routine or increasing intensity. Give your muscles time to adapt.
2. Communicate
Inform Your Instructor
Tell your gym instructor or trainer that you are a “newbie” or returning after a long break. They can assist you in modifying your workout.
3. Hydrate
Stay Ahead of Thirst
Hydrate consistently before, during, and after exercising. Dehydration significantly increases the risk of muscle breakdown.
4. Avoid NSAIDs
Skip Pain Relievers
Avoid taking Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) for muscle pain, as these may exacerbate potential kidney damage.
5. Abstain from Alcohol
No Alcohol and Exercise
Alcohol is a direct cause of rhabdomyolysis and contributes to dehydration, worsening potential kidney injury.
Always do things in moderation. If you suspect rhabdomyolysis (especially if you notice brown-red urine after a strenuous workout), seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Too Much EXERCISE could harm you
Rhabdomyolysis is the destruction of skeletal muscles, caused by any mechanism that results in injury to myocytes (a type of cell found inside the muscle tissue) and their membranes (or lining). When the muscles break down, it releases myoglobin, an overwhelming amount of which may poison the kidney, causing kidney damage.
It had been initially associated almost exclusively with traumatic conditions or injury, but non-traumatic causes are now five times more frequent. Some non-traumatic causes include abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs, and other medical conditions.
Rhabdomyolysis due to exercise
Recently, rhabdomyolysis is seen in people engaged in strenuous activities or exercises, like spinning, weightlifting, running, and other high-intensity training.
Symptoms are non-specific. It may include muscle pain, swelling, and weakness, fever, fatigue, nausea, and confusion. A brown-red urine may be the symptom that prompts a patient to seek consult.
Worst-case scenarios for rhabdomyolysis is kidney injury or kidney failure (requiring the patient to go on dialysis or necessitate the need for a kidney transplant), and the dreaded hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood) leading to electrical abnormalities in the heart and even death.
Although rhabdomyolysis may occur in people who regularly work out if they push themselves too hard during an exercise, it is more prevalent in beginners.
How to prevent rhabdomyolysis
- It is important to be slow and gradual when beginning a new type of workout routine.
- Tell the instructor that you are a “newbie”, to assist you in your workout.
- Hydrate before, during and after exercising.
- Avoid taking Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) as pain relievers.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages when engaged in these exercises because aside from it being a direct cause of rhabdomyolysis, it may also cause dehydration and may lead to further kidney damage.
Most of us would want to push ourselves to the limit to be a healthier individual. However, bear in mind that your body also has limitations. Always do things in moderation. Transforming to a healthier and fitter you is possible without causing yourself injury or harm.
References: Why intense workouts are leading to a life-threatening condition by Daniella Emanuel, CNN