Rhabdo

Rhabdomyolysis also called Rhabdo is a rare condition.  I never thought in all my personal training schooling or CrossFit training I would EVER come across a case of it.  Unfortunately someone I work w/ did get rhabdo, and is in the hospital recovering.  Rhabdo is dangerous enough that it is worth briefly discussing.  Rhabdo can be caused from EXTREME physical activity, but there are many other ways it can be brought on.  Today I will focus on physical activity as it is the force that we see in my field.  My definition of Rhabdo is this: when your body is working hard the skeletal muscles break down at such a rate that your body can't keep up w/ the repair and toxins (aka myoglobin=muscle protein) are leaked into your body potentially causing kidney failure.

If you are new to exercising and go FULL THROTTLE SPEED AHEAD you will really want to be sure you are listening to your body, staying hydrated and resting when you need to.  That being sd rhabdo could happen to someone that has been physically active for their entire life, such as a marathon runner.

Medications: There are certain medicines that will increase the risk of getting rhabdo.  If you take any of the following meds please educate yourself, and listen to your body.  Statins used to treat high cholesterol [simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), pravastatin (Pravachol), or lovastatin (Mevacor)] and other medications such as Parkinson's medication, psychiatric medications, anesthesia medications, HIV medications, & colchicine.

Signs of rhabdo: weakness, muscle soreness, pain, swelling, nausea, confusion, and the biggest sign COLA COLORED or RED COLORED URINE (see pics).  If you see this sign, this is NO joke.  It is an immediate sign your kidneys are not keeping up w. the myoglobin in your body.  Have someone immediately take you to the emergency room.  If you are not able to get a ride or can't drive SAFELY do not hesitate to call an ambulance.  

PREVENTION: Drink plenty of WATER before, during, and AFTER exercise.

I am not sharing this info w/ you in an effort to freak you out, and scare you off exercise.  I am not asking you to lower your limits.  I am sharing this w/ you because it is VERY important to educate yourself, and find that body-mind connection, knowing what is safe for you and what isn't.  So keep on keeping on.  Ride the wave of YOUR life.  Know YOUR limit.  Push yourself to your limit, but do not catapult yourself over it!  And most importantly DRINK WATER!