Symptoms of Rhabdomyolysis Syndrome
Disease description:
I went to the hospital this morning to visit my brother. The doctor told me he has developed rhabdomyolysis. I have never heard of this condition before. May I ask what are the symptoms of rhabdomyolysis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical syndrome caused by skeletal muscle injury, with main symptoms including:
1. Muscle symptoms: Patients may experience severe muscle pain, especially in the affected limbs. These symptoms are caused by extensive dissolution and destruction of muscle cells.
2. Abnormal urine: The patient's urine may darken, appearing as soy sauce-colored or reddish urine, due to massive release of myoglobin into the bloodstream, which is subsequently excreted through urine. However, not all patients exhibit this symptom.
3. Acute kidney injury: As myoglobin passes through the kidneys, it can change the urine color to dark, tea-colored, or cola-colored. This is due to acute tubular necrosis caused by myoglobin blocking the renal tubules.
4. Other systemic symptoms: Fever, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, which are part of the body's response to severe illness. Severe hyperkalemia can even lead to cardiac arrest.
Once related symptoms appear, especially when accompanied by dark-colored urine and severe muscle pain, prompt medical attention is necessary.
