Rhabdomyolysis Symptoms & Treatments

Rhabdomyolysis is a breakdown of muscle fiber that leads to myoglobin leaking into the kidneys. It most often occurs after serious injuries during car crashes or bombings, as well as electrical injuries. Rhabdomyolysis must be treated aggressively to get the myoglobin out of the kidneys or it could become toxic.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis may include dark urine, muscle aches and tenderness.

Effects

• If not treated in time, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney failure.

Causes

• Rhabdomyolysis can occur from serious injuries, which allow myoglobin to get into the kidneys. Also, certain drugs, such as Baycol, and the disease lupus can also cause this disease.

Treatments

• An aggressive intravenous treatment is used to flush the kidneys. Certain diuretics may also be used to flush out the myoglobin that causes this problem in the kidneys.

History

• This problem was first diagnosed in World War II during the bombing raids in London in 1940 to 1941.