Acute and fulminating destruction of muscle tissue; it is possibly fatal.
A skeletal muscle injury that can result in kidney damage. The condition is caused by toxic effects from the pigment myoglobin when it is released by muscle cells damaged by trauma or other events. When damaged muscle tissue releases myoglobin into the bloodstream, it is filtered through the kidneys, where it breaks down into potentially toxic compounds and may block the organ, damaging it and causing kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis may also be caused by severe exertion during physical activities such as marathon running, especially during hot and humid weather. Other causes include seizures; the abuse or overdose of drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, and PCP (phencyclidine or “angel dust”); trauma; heat intolerance or heatstroke; or alcoholism that produces muscle tremors. Symptoms include urine that is dark, red, or cola-colored and tenderness, stiffness, aching, and weakness in the muscles, as well as overall weakness. Unintentional weight gain, seizures, pain in the joints, and fatigue may be associated with rhabdomyolysis. The condition is diagnosed by urine and blood tests. Intravenous hydration can stabilize the condition. Diuretics may be prescribed to f lush the myoglobin out of the kidneys, and bicarbonate may be used to help prevent the myoglobin from forming toxic compounds. The condition should be treated as soon as possible to limit the extent of kidney damage and prevent the serious complication of kidney failure.
An acute, sometimes fatal disease in which the byproducts of skeletal muscle destruction accumulate in the renal tubules and produce acute renal failure. Rhabdomyolysis may result from crush injuries, the toxic effect of drugs or chemicals on skeletal muscle, extremes of exertion, sepsis, shock, electric shock, and severe hyponatremia. Lipid-lowering drugs such as statins (pravastatin, simvastatin) and/or fibrates (gemfibrozil) are among the commonly prescribed drugs that put patients at risk for rhabdomyolysis. Kidney failure caused by “rhabdo” may produce life-threatening hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. The diagnosis is made in patients with appropriate histories or exposures who have elevated levels of serum or urine myoglobin or creatine kinase (CK). Management may include the infusion of bicarbonate-containing fluids (to enhance urinary secretion of myoglobin) or hemodialysis.
In a state of distress, when injured tissue begins to release its internal contents into the bloodstream, it can potentially cause significant harm to the kidneys and even lead to fatal consequences.
The swift disintegration of skeletal muscle, leading to the release of the contents of muscle cells into the bloodstream.
The breakdown of muscle tissue, coupled with the discharge of myoglobin (the muscle pigment that carries oxygen), into the bloodstream. The primary factor behind rhabdomyolysis is often a severe muscle injury resulting from compression or trauma. Additional triggers of this condition encompass polymyositis (a viral muscle infection) and, in rare instances, excessive physical exertion.
Typically, the affected muscle experiences temporary paralysis or weakness. Unless the injury is severe, the condition generally resolves on its own without requiring any form of treatment.
The breakdown of body muscles leading to the red urine associated with myoglobinuria.