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How working out ‘too hard’ without rest can cause ‘permanent’ kidney damage� Credits: Social Media
By Chaitra Krishnamurthy

How working out ‘too hard’ without rest can cause ‘permanent’ kidney damage�

By Chaitra Krishnamurthy

While the adrenaline rush you get from doing extra reps at the gym is understandable, you wouldn’t want to push yourself too hard, for your own sake.

Unlike wearing makeup while exercising which has its own drawbacks, overdoing your routine workout can cause “serious” medical conditions, including permanent kidney damage.

Man in pain during exercise
@Credit: andreswd/Getty Images

Why you shouldn’t work out ‘too hard’

Doctors advise against working out excessively as it can result in a condition called Rhabdomyolysis, which could be life-threatening.

Rhabdo occurs when a protein called Myoglobin and electrolytes released from damaged muscles during an intense workout without rest enter your bloodstream.

These substances can end up clogging the kidneys, causing the organ to fail altogether in an otherwise healthy person too.

Dr. Joe on TikTok warns against stressing yourself during “hard workouts” when your muscles have turned sore. You need to keep yourself hydrated before and after workouts as rhabdo is also treated with IV fluids.

The doctor posted the video on the life-threatening condition in response to another TikTok depicting a content creator struggling to walk down the stairs after working out too hard, without realizing she had gone into rhabdo.

In the following clip, the TikTok user is admitted to the hospital for the condition as she uses her example to spread awareness about the dangers of exercising intensely.

@drjoe_md

Rhabdomyolysis is a serious syndrome resulting from the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream. These substances can cause kidney damage, as the kidneys struggle to filter out the large molecules. Symptoms often include muscle pain, weakness, and dark, cola-colored urine. Prompt diagnosis and treatment, typically involving aggressive hydration to flush out these substances, are crucial to prevent kidney damage and other complications. #rhabdomyolysis #gymmotivation #muscleaches #soreness #athelete

♬ original sound – Dr. Joe, M.D. 🩺

Sign you could be going into rhabdo

Dr. Joe says the change in your urine color alongside sore muscles is one of the signs you’re going into rhabdo.

He says people affected by the condition may notice that their pee has turned dark (brown, red, or tea-colored).

Muscle swelling and weak and tender muscles are other symptoms to look out for after a hard workout session. Whereas some people can experience dehydration, decreased urination, nausea, and loss of consciousness.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, rhabdo symptoms can range from mild to severe and usually develop one to three days after a muscle is damaged.