Special Correspondent
Pune : In Pune, the growing obsession with fitness and intense workout regimens has led to alarming incidents of individuals collapsing mid-exercise. Without timely medical intervention, these episodes can quickly turn life-threatening, as witnessed in two recent incidents involving a 19-year-old gym enthusiast and a 37-year-old marathon runner.
Both individuals collapsed during their workouts, prompting medical attention and bringing focus to an underdiagnosed condition known as Exercise-Induced Urticaria (EIU), a rare allergic reaction previously seldom seen.
The Incidents
Dinesh, a 19-year-old college student passionate about fitness, suddenly collapsed while lifting weights at his gym. He was rushed to the hospital, with symptoms of severe breathlessness and recurring hives during subsequent workout sessions. “I thought my body was giving up on me. It was terrifying,” said Dinesh (name changed for privacy).
Similarly, Keshav, a 37-year-old marathon runner and businessman, collapsed during a run in Magarpatta City, slipping into anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening allergic reaction. He was saved at Noble Hospital but left confused and traumatized. “Every time I tried to run again, I broke out in hives and felt dizzy. It was confusing and frightening,” Keshav shared.
Exercise-Induced Urticaria: A Growing Concern
Dr. Vijay Warad, National Director of the Indian Allergy and Asthma Network, explained that Exercise-Induced Urticaria (EIU) is often misdiagnosed as cardiac arrest or severe breathlessness. As awareness remains low, many cases go unnoticed, resulting in fatal consequences due to untreated anaphylaxis, which can mimic a heart attack.
Dr. Warad warned, “Patients with EIU are often treated for heart conditions, while they are actually experiencing anaphylaxis. Delays in recognizing this condition can be fatal.” He noted that the prevalence of EIU has doubled over the past five years, with more than 50 cases registered in a few months, whereas it was once rare, affecting one in 100 people.
Triggers and Symptoms of EIU
EIU occurs when the body’s inflammatory cells become hyperactive during exercise, triggering severe allergic reactions. Common triggers include certain foods like milk, wheat, or soy consumed before exercise, high pollution levels, potent allergens, stress, poor nutrition, and a genetic predisposition, particularly among those with a family history of asthma, allergies, or tonsillitis.
Symptoms range from itching and hives to severe breathlessness, dizziness, and in extreme cases, death.
Unfortunately, these symptoms are often mistaken for cardiac events, which leads to delays in treatment. Dr. Warad stressed the importance of timely diagnosis to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure proper care.
Call for Awareness
With increasing instances of EIU, experts are calling for greater awareness among fitness enthusiasts, medical professionals, and the general public. Dr. Rajan Sancheti, President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Pune, emphasized the need for medical practitioners to be well-versed in handling such cases to save lives. He also highlighted that with proper treatment, individuals can return to their normal exercise routines.
Given the changing fitness landscape, awareness about EIU is critical in preventing unnecessary fatalities. Proper diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and understanding of the condition can lead to successful management of EIU, allowing individuals to continue their fitness journey safely.
