'My urine turned cola colour': How a New Year fitness resolution sent a Mumbai man to hospital

Returning to the gym after a long break turned into a medical emergency for a Mumbai doctor, drawing attention to a rare but serious condition linked to sudden intense workouts. According to a report by The Times of India, nephrologists say they are seeing occasional cases where heavy exercise after a long gap leads to muscle breakdown that can temporarily harm the kidneys. The incident surfaced around World Kidney Day (March 12), when doctors are urging people to build fitness gradually instead of pushing their bodies too hard.

New Year fitness plan goes wrong

Dr Kunal Bansode, a resident of Vikhroli, decided earlier this year to revive his old habit of going to the gym. After a seven-month break, he resumed his workout routine in mid-January and started lifting 50-kg weights.

The first two days, January 14 and 15, passed without trouble. But on the third day, his body began reacting differently. Severe muscle pain made it difficult for him to move normally, forcing him to stop exercising again.


Also Read: World Kidney Day: Young gym goers landing in hospitals with kidney damage, nephrologists warn of worrying trend

The situation became alarming when he noticed an unusual change in his urine.

"My urine was cola colour, which is a classic sign of rhabdomyolysis, or muscle breakdown," he said.

Realising something was wrong, Bansode rushed to his workplace in Mulund and got himself admitted.

Rare condition surprises doctors

Doctors diagnosed him with exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which muscle tissue breaks down rapidly after extreme physical strain.

Nephrologist Dr Vaibhav Keskar from Fortis Hospital in Mulund said the case caught his attention because such incidents are uncommon. However, within a month, he encountered three young patients with the same condition, including Bansode.

"When muscles are suddenly subjected to heavy strain, for example, someone doing too many squats without being used to that level of intensity, the muscle cells can get damaged," he said.

He explained that damaged muscle cells release substances into the bloodstream.

"Myoglobin can be toxic to kidney tubules and may temporarily impair kidney function," said Dr Keskar.

World Kidney Day focus: prevention matters

Doctors say the episode comes at a time when kidney health is already a major concern in India. On World Kidney Day, health experts highlight the growing burden of chronic kidney disease, largely linked to diabetes and hypertension.

Dr Keskar said people also need awareness about sudden kidney injuries caused by conditions such as rhabdomyolysis, which can occur after extreme exercise.

Long wait for kidney transplants

Kidney disease can have serious consequences if it progresses. In Mumbai alone, around 4,000 patients with end-stage kidney disease are currently registered for kidney transplants, with waiting periods stretching from four to five years.

Doctors say this makes prevention and early care even more important.

Young Gym goers experiencing Kidney failures

Doctors say such incidents are also raising questions about another growing gym habit, the widespread use of protein powders. Nephrologists have been warning that many young gym-goers start taking large quantities of supplements without medical advice, often in the hope of building muscle quickly.

Health experts say excessive protein intake can place extra stress on the kidneys, especially when the body is not used to such levels. When people suddenly combine heavy workouts with high-protein diets or supplements, the kidneys may have to work harder to filter waste produced during muscle breakdown.

In recent months, doctors have reported seeing young patients who developed kidney-related problems after prolonged use of protein powders. Many of them were otherwise healthy and had begun taking supplements based on advice from gym trainers or social media trends rather than medical guidance.

Nephrologists say natural dietary sources of protein, such as pulses, eggs and dairy, are usually safer when consumed in balanced quantities. They caution that supplements should ideally be taken only after proper assessment of an individual’s health, workout intensity and nutritional needs.