We hear the stories of friends, acquaintances or fitness gurus who swear by workouts so intense practitioners vomit or can’t move afterwards – but starting an intense workout regimen could be very dangerous – and even deadly. Super intense workouts could lead to a condition known as rhabdomyolysis, which occurs when muscle tissue is injured and releases myoglobin into the bloodstream. That additional protein can often overwhelm the kidneys in their effort to clean out the blood, leading to kidney failure in some extreme cases. Dr. Steven Chudik, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill., says he has seen the syndrome only a few times in his 15-year career, but called it an interesting condition because it can occur both in individuals starting an exercise program or in fit, muscular athletes alike.

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