Kidney failure due to mistakes made while running or working out at the gym.
Medical experts warn that intense exercise without paying attention to one's health can lead to serious consequences, including kidney failure.
Nowadays, maintaining good health and a beautiful physique is a goal for many people, and exercising has become an indispensable part of daily life.
However, experts warn that excessive exercise can pose many health risks.
According to Dr. Nguyen Van Tuyen, Head of the Nephrology and Urology Department at Duc Giang Hospital, high-intensity training programs put a lot of pressure on the muscles.
Dr. Nguyen Van Tuyen - Head of the Department of Nephrology and Urology, Duc Giang Hospital. Photo: Manh Quan
Even those new to the gym, including those in excellent physical condition, may face risks if the intensity of their workouts exceeds their body's tolerance, leading to post-workout rhabdomyolysis.
In particular, high-intensity training can cause rhabdomyolysis, leading to the destruction of skeletal muscle tissue and muscle necrosis. This can result in the release of toxic components as the muscles are destroyed, potentially leading to kidney failure and even death.
"Rhabdomyolysis is defined as the destruction of skeletal muscle cells, thereby releasing components of muscle cells into the bloodstream such as myoglobin, enzymes found in skeletal muscle, potassium, phosphorus, uric acid, creatine kinase (CK), AST, ALT... causing water and electrolyte imbalances."
"This condition leads to hypovolemic shock, metabolic acidosis, acute renal failure due to myoglobin obstructing the renal tubules, compartment syndrome... High levels of these components in the blood will affect the patient's health and can even lead to death," Dr. Tuyen explained.
The Department of Nephrology and Urology at Duc Giang General Hospital once recorded a case of an 18-year-old male suffering from rhabdomyolysis due to excessive physical training.
Prior to this, the patient had practiced squats up to 200 times. About three days after the workout, the young man was hospitalized with severe pain in both thighs, which worsened with movement and limited mobility, along with reddish urine and a smaller volume of urine than usual.
After being admitted to the hospital, the patient was diagnosed with what appeared to be rhabdomyolysis due to excessive exercise.
The patient was quickly ordered to undergo blood tests to analyze the serum levels of CK, AST, and ALT enzymes. The results showed that this male patient's CK level was over 158,000 UI/L, AST was 1,500 UI/L, and ALT was 300 UI/L, which is 1,000 times higher than that of a normal person (the CK level in healthy men is only 38-174 UI/L at 37°C).
Regarding the treatment of this case, Dr. Tuyen stated: "We administered fluid and electrolyte replacement and forced diuresis to the patient, balanced acid-base levels, and controlled fluid intake and output."
Even if those two methods don't work, we have to use a dialysis machine to filter the patient's blood to remove some of the toxins from their body."
Stop before the red line.
People who are passionate about sports like cycling or marathon running are also at risk of rhabdomyolysis if they don't train properly.
Dr. Tuyen said: "People who practice sports in general, or marathon runners in particular, must drink enough water throughout the activity, and it is especially important to 'listen to your body'."
Otherwise, excessive exercise can cause dangerous health problems, especially acute kidney failure, water and electrolyte imbalances, and acid-base imbalances, which can lead to death.
According to this expert's recommendation, when exercising, one should start with the lightest levels, and then gradually increase the intensity of the exercises depending on their physical condition.
When starting any exercise, especially a new one, do it slowly and rest when your body shows signs of strain. Don't push yourself too hard, drink plenty of water, and avoid overheating.
When playing sports, it's important to listen to your body. Photo: Getty
"Everyone needs to know their own limits and stop exercising when their muscles start to overstretch. Although giving up early might seem like a bad thing, at least you won't damage your kidneys or even lose your life if you develop a disease," Dr. Tuyen emphasized.
According to Dr. Tuyen, acute kidney failure due to rhabdomyolysis can be identified by the following signs: muscle pain and swelling, urine that is reddish-brown then turns dark brown, reduced urine volume, possibly fever, nausea and vomiting…
"If extensive muscle tissue damage leads to acute kidney failure, the patient will have high levels of urea and creatinine in the blood, which can affect acid-base balance, water and electrolyte balance, and other organs such as the digestive and nervous systems."
At this stage, the patient experiences nausea, fatigue, and in more severe cases, coma or even death. If you know you have overexerted yourself and are experiencing symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, seek emergency medical attention immediately," Dr. Nguyen Van Tuyen informed.
