There are no shortcuts in life. MUSBA HASHMI speaks with doctors who talk about how an 18-year-old suffered loss of kidney function due to aggressive workout and how there is need to take precautions
Working out is a solution to many problems, however walking an extra mile to bring out the best in your body can do more harm than good. A case in point is 18-year-old Lakshay Bindra, an avid gymming enthusiast, who hankered for working out during the lockdown, and as soon as it was lifted he rushed to the nearest gym to make up for all the lost time. However, it didn’t go as planned for Bindra who came home with severe muscle ache.
“He came home and complained of having stiff muscles and pain. We thought it was because of hitting the gym after a long hault. By the evening, his pain got worse and he had problem in even lifting his arms. To add to our worries, his urine turned brown. That’s when we rushed him to the nearby hospital who after conducting certain tests asked us to take him to a big hospital. To hear that was disheartening. It was like the world starting falling apart for us. That is when we took our son to Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj,” Lakshay’s mother, Pooja Bindra, tells you.
Heavy workout without warm-up lead to loss of kidney function in Bindra and that resulted in yellow urine.
“Because of the aggressive workout, his muscles couldn’t take the load and hence the breakdown happened. The condition is called rhabdomyolysis. As soon as I got to know about the dark coloured urine, deranged kidney and liver function, I knew what was the problem. Our team immediately admitted him and we started the treatment,” Dr Abbas Ali Khatai, Attending Consultant, Emergency Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, New Delhi, says.
Dr Dilip Bhalla, Senior Consultant, Dept. of Renal & Kidney Transplant, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, New Delhi, tells you that the patient was immediately started on IV fluids and he had to undergo two sessions of dialysis. “We immediately shifted the patient to the ICU and gave him kidney safe medicine, lots of fluids and kidney support. He underwent dialysis and his urinary function improved. We then gave him muscle tonic to reduce the stiffness and he started to recover. Another session of dialysis was required to further improve the urine function. After three-four days he was perfectly fine was sent back home,” Bhalla explains.
It is important for people to understand that there are no shortcuts in life and hence doubling the workout to achieve that perfect body is a big no-no. “There are absolutely no shortcuts. One has to go slowly and steadily. The same applies for exercising. Sudden and aggressive workout puts extra pressrure on the muscles. Also everyone should exercise according to their limits. When we push our body, the problems arise. Always hire a good personal trainer who understands your body type and limit. Go slowly and consistently and then build your muscle capacity. And staying hydrated at all times is the key,” Bhalla explains.
He adds that taking pain killers in such cases could be harmful. “People usually take to painkillers when it comes to muscle pain, however it is not a good idea. In case of need, always take kidney-safe painkillers that are easily available in the market. Don’t go for brufen at all because in case of any kidney problem, it can further elevate the issue,” Bhalla tells you.
The symptoms that one should look out for in case of exercise gone wrong events are extreme muscle stiffness and pain. “Muscle pain and stiffness is a part and parcel of working out, however if the pain gets worse it is good to consult a doctor. In case of severe abdomen pain, dark or coca cola-coloured urine and kidney disfunction one should immediately visit a doctor,” Bhalla says.
