What are the causes of rhabdomyolysis syndrome?
Sep 30, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, rhabdomyolysis may be caused by intense physical exercise, muscle crush injuries, drug-induced damage, hypokalemia, hypothyroidism, and other factors. Treatment options include general supportive care and medication therapy. It is important to avoid excessive strenuous exercise, maintain electrolyte balance—especially adequate potassium levels—and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Under normal circumstances, rhabdomyolysis refers to a series of syndromes caused by the destruction of muscle cells due to various factors, leading to the release of intracellular substances into the extracellular fluid and circulation. Rhabdomyolysis may be triggered by intense exercise, muscle compression, drug-induced injury, hypothyroidism, hypokalemia, and other causes. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a physician. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Intense Exercise
Prolonged, high-intensity physical activity or sudden vigorous exercise in individuals who lack regular training can lead to muscle cell hypoxia, energy depletion, and accumulation of metabolic waste, resulting in cell rupture and rhabdomyolysis. Exercise volume should be reasonably planned, progressed gradually, and followed by adequate rest.
2. Muscle Compression
In cases of trauma such as traffic accidents, muscle tissues may suffer severe compression, causing extensive damage and ischemia-reperfusion injury, which leads to cell necrosis and subsequent rhabdomyolysis. Cold compresses may be used initially to reduce swelling and pain.
3. Drug-Induced Injury
If patients take medications with known myotoxic effects, these drugs may directly or indirectly affect muscle cells, disrupting normal metabolism or inducing toxic reactions, thereby causing cellular damage and triggering rhabdomyolysis. Symptoms may also include muscle pain and weakness. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions when using medications such as loratadine tablets, potassium chloride sustained-release tablets, and coenzyme Q10 capsules to alleviate symptoms.
4. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is associated with factors such as autoimmune destruction and insufficient iodine intake. Inadequate secretion of thyroid hormones slows muscle metabolism and impairs cellular energy supply, ultimately leading to rhabdomyolysis. Other possible symptoms include fatigue and weight gain. Patients may be treated under medical supervision with medications such as levothyroxine sodium tablets, thyroid tablets, and recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone injection.
5. Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia, often caused by inadequate dietary potassium intake, results in insufficient energy supply or metabolic disturbances in muscle cells, leading to cellular damage and rhabdomyolysis. Additional symptoms may include palpitations and excessive sweating. Treatment under medical guidance may include potassium chloride sustained-release tablets, methimazole tablets, and potassium citrate granules.
In daily life, it is important to avoid excessively strenuous exercise, maintain electrolyte balance—particularly sufficient potassium levels—and manage chronic conditions effectively through a healthy lifestyle.
