A moderate amount of exercise is beneficial to the body. However, many people are physically inactive during weekdays and engage in strenuous exercise once they go to the gym on weekends, which may bring adverse effects to the body! Excessive strenuous exercise not only causes muscle soreness, but may even lead to rhabdomyolysis, which can result in acute kidney failure and require dialysis. How do you distinguish rhabdomyolysis from muscle soreness?

What is rhabdomyolysis?

Rhabdomyolysis is a condition that damages skeletal muscle (striated muscle) rapidly, resulting in muscle cell necrosis and cell membrane rupture. The muscle cells release large amounts of potassium ions, which can lead to hyperkalemia and arrhythmia. Intracellular myoglobin can also cause nephrotoxicity, in conjunction with the release of large amounts of uric acid from the cells, if not excreted in time, can impair kidney function and even lead to acute kidney failure.

If a person does not exercise regularly and engages in strenuous exercise suddenly, such as running a marathon without preparation, the muscles may be overworked and torn, leading to rhabdomyolysis. If the patient is not sufficiently hydrated, the myoglobin retained in the bloodstream may crystallise and block the nephric tubules, leading to kidney failure. The large amount of potassium entering the bloodstream can also lead to arrhythmia. Over-exercising increases your risk of developing rhabdomyolysis.

It is normal to feel muscle soreness after exercise, but if you experience muscle swelling, asthenia, fever, or tea-coloured urine, you have a high chance of suffering from rhabdomyolysis. You should seek immediate medical attention!

How to prevent rhabdomyolysis? 

• People who do not exercise regularly should avoid engaging in strenuous exercise on a whim. 

• Rest when you are tired. Do not insist out of a false sense of pride.

• Drink plenty of water after intense exercise to facilitate myoglobin elimination and avoid kidney damage. 

• As rhabdomyolysis is more likely to occur in summer, it is important to keep your body hydrated. 

• Patients with metabolic diseases should limit their amount of exercise. Take a rest if you experience muscle fatigue and stiffness, or pain.

• Maintain a regular lifestyle and a balanced diet.