Rhabdomyolysis: A Dangerous Medical Condition

2007-05-02 10:04:19

( Health )



Rhabdomyolysis occurs when the fibers of your muscles/skeletal tissues break thereby releasing certain enzymes and other cell byproducts into the circulatory system. Among others, a protein pigment called myoglobin is particularly dangerous when it circulates in a person’s body. If myoglobin reaches an individual’s kidney it can block certain parts of the kidney, which can cause it to malfunction. Rhabdomyolysis can also cause your body to go into sudden shock. Other conditions/diseases may also develop as a result of rhabdomyolysis.

Rhabdomyolysis is known to target men more than women. It is known to have affected the human population since biblical times.

People who often experience seizures have low phosphate levels and who are athletes can contract rhabdomyolysis. Crush injury and trauma victims, people who experience heat stroke and shaking chills are prime candidates for rhabdomyolysis. In addition drug and alcohol abusers can also suffer from rhabdomyolysis.

A doctor will diagnose a patient with rhabdomyolysis if certain symptoms are present. These include urine that is red or dark colored, and muscle and joint pain is experienced. Rhabdomyolysis is also diagnosed when a patient complains about body or muscle weakness. Some patients also suffer from seizures, muscle tenderness, frequent exhaustion and unexplained weight gain.

Certain laboratory tests will need to be performed if a doctor suspects that a patient is suffering from rhabdomyolysis. A urinalysis will be ordered as well as a serum myoglobin and urine myoglobin tests will also need to be performed.

Doctors will immediately advise a patient suffering from rhabdomyolysis to take diuretic medications and increase fluid intake. This will cause the patient to frequently urinate, so that the toxins found in the kidneys of the patient can be flushed away. Doctors advise the increase in fluid intake, so that the color of a patient’s urine can return back to normal. Bicarbonate tablets may also be prescribed to maintain the alkali in the urine.

The patient's reaction to treatment will depend on the severity of the damage to the skeletal muscles and kidneys.

Rhabdomyolysis can be a dangerous condition that can cause death. You should seek immediate medical attention if you feel that you may be suffering from rhabdomyolysis.


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