We're talking about those who partake in the hottest workout on the planet. The fitness folk who don't think of burpees as a four-letter word. These elite fitness enthusiasts have mastered pullups, kettle bell swings, planks, and deadlifts and more. They speak in their own language that includes acronyms like WOD (workout of the day). They believe in quantity and quality.
They're the almighty Crossfit crew. And they are part of the hottest fitness trend this decade. However, an unofficial mascot has become a reminder of a serious health concern that can arise from extreme workouts like Cross Fit. That mascot is Uncle Rhabdo. Uncle Rhabdo is the poster figure of rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition that affects about 26,000 people per year.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, “rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle tissue that leads to the release of muscle fiber contents into the blood. These substances are harmful to the kidney and often cause kidney damage.”
Intense exercise is just one of the things that can lead to this condition. In addition, it can be caused by the following: trauma to the body (like a crushing injury), recreational drugs, statins, extreme body temperatures, genetic muscle diseases, low phosphate levels, lengthy surgery, seizures, and dehydration.
So just what happens when rhabdomyolysis occurs?
Rhabdomyolysis develops when one’s muscle is damaged. As a result, a protein called myoglobin travels into the bloodstream. This protein is then filtered out of the body by the kidneys. At this point, it converts to substances that can cause damage to kidney cells.
This is why dark or cola-colored urine is one of the ways that the average person detects symptoms of rhabdomyolysis. In addition, muscle weakness and aching are common symptoms of this serious condition. However, some people develop no symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, making it even more dangerous.
There are a number of complications that can be associated with rhabdomyolysis. One of the most serious of these is a form of kidney damage called acute tubular necrosis. Tubular necrosis occurs when tubule cells of the kidney are damaged. This can lead to acute renal failure. Acute tubular necrosis has a mortality rate of 10 percent.
In addition, those with rhabdomyolysis can develop compartment syndrome. In this condition, too much pressure is put on a muscle compartment. This interferes with blood flow, which in turn causes massive swelling. This is most often seen in the legs or forearms, but it can also occur in other places like the hands and feet.
Further, rhabdomyolysis can cause hyperuricemia, which occurs when there is too much uric acid in the blood. This can cause issues like kidney stones and gout.
Rhabdomyolysis can also cause disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). This condition develops when blood clotting proteins migrate to the site of an injury to attempt to halt bleeding. Consequently, blood clots are formed in the blood vessels. This inhibits blood from reaching bodily organs. Eventually, these proteins may run out. This increases the risk of uncontrolled bleeding (even from a cut).
Hepatic inflammation, which is a swelling of the liver, is another risk associated with rhabdomyolysis. According to Healthline, about 25 percent of those with rhabdomyolysis develop this condition. Hepatic inflammation can make it even tougher for the body to remove toxins from the blood.
Doctors can diagnose rhabdomyolysis with lab tests. According to Medscape, the most reliable way to diagnose this condition is to assess creatine kinase (CK) levels. If levels are five times higher than they should be, rhabdomyolysis may be present. However, CK levels may be 100 times higher than normal (or more) when this condition occurs.
If rhabdomyolysis is diagnosed, intravenous fluids will be given immediately. The sooner rehydration starts, the less likely a patient is to go into renal failure. (For example, if rhabdomyolysis is suspected in a person who is trapped due to a crushing injury, fluids may be given before the trapped area of the body has been released.) Further, doctors will track urine output. Doctors will often want to increase the PH in urine to decrease the toxicity associated with myoglobin.
If you’re an athlete, you’re probably wondering how to know if you’ve developed rhabdomyolysis. When this condition develops, athletes report stiffness and muscle soreness as being very noticeable. For example, one blogger who developed rhabdomyolysis said she couldn’t bend her arms past ninety degrees. This may be different than regularly sore muscles in that soreness can make normal activities difficult. And rather than getting better, the pain gets worse. In addition, swelling occurs. For example, it may feel like your arms are water balloons that are about to burst. But remember that this condition may be present with no symptoms.
Though rhabdomyolysis is a scary thing that athletes face, there are a number of steps that you can take to prevent it.
1. The first is to ease into exercise. According to Cross Fit Impulse, it’s important to refrain from going all out after a break from working out. Get back into it over time.
2. Be cautious when it comes to high rep, low weight workouts. Rhabdomyolysis has been associated with extreme forms of this type of training. (The keyword here is extreme. High rep/low weight workouts are by enlarge excellent training options.)
3. Work with a professional if you’re new to exercise. He or she can steer you in the direction of health as opposed to harm when it comes to working out.
4. Don’t forget to drink water before, during and after your workout. Dehydration and rhabdomyolysis go hand in hand. In addition, beware of temperature extremes. This increases your risk of developing rhabdomyolysis. If it’s hot, don’t go for a run at noon. Time your workout early in the morning when it’s cooler.
If you do develop symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, see a doctor immediately. This condition can become life-threatening, so don’t delay when it comes to seeking medical treatment.