How is rhabdomyolysis diagnosed?
The only way to know for sure is to obtain a blood test. Repeated blood tests for the muscle protein creatine kinase (CK or creatine phosphokinase [CPK]) are the only accurate test for rhabdo. A healthcare provider can do a blood test for CK: The muscle protein CK enters the bloodstream when muscle tissue is damaged.
What is Uncle rhabdo?
Uncle Rhabdo. Uncle Rhabdo the clown has Rhabdomyolysis – a kidney condition most commonly induced by excessive exercise. The muscles become so overworked that the tissues begin to break-down and myoglobin, the bi-product of muscle fibres, is released into the blood stream.
Which is a key symptom of rhabdomyolysis?
The main signs of rhabdomyolysis include: Muscle swelling. Weak, tender and sore muscles. Dark urine that is brown, red or tea-colored.
What is the most common cause of rhabdomyolysis?
Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening syndrome resulting from the breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers with leakage of muscle contents into the circulation. The most common causes are crush injury, overexertion, alcohol abuse and certain medicines and toxic substances.
What labs indicate rhabdomyolysis?
Blood tests include a complete blood count (CBC), a metabolic panel, muscle enzymes, and urinalysis. The diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis is confirmed by detecting elevated muscle enzymes in blood, which include creatine phosphokinase (CPK), SGOT, SGPT, and LDH .
Is there a blood test for muscle damage?
A blood test will let your doctor know if you have elevated levels of muscle enzymes, which can indicate muscle damage. A blood test can also detect specific autoantibodies associated with different symptoms of polymyositis, which can help in determining the best medication and treatment. Electromyography.
How long does it take to recover from rhabdomyolysis?
If the condition is recognized and treated early, you can avoid most major complications and expect a full recovery. Recovery from exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis, with no major complications, can take several weeks to months for the patient to return to exercise without recurrence of symptoms.
What does rhabdo pain feel like?
The “classic triad” of rhabdomyolysis symptoms are: muscle pain in the shoulders, thighs, or lower back; muscle weakness or trouble moving arms and legs; and dark red or brown urine or decreased urination. Keep in mind that half of people with the condition may have no muscle-related symptoms.
Can you have rhabdomyolysis without dark urine?
At a high concentration, myoglobin excreted into the urine (myoglobinuria) changes the color of the urine to red or brown and can be confirmed with a urine test. However, a person can have rhabdomyolysis without also having discolored urine.
Can rhabdomyolysis go away on its own?
Most causes of rhabdomyolysis are reversible. If rhabdomyolysis is related to a medical condition, such as diabetes or a thyroid disorder, appropriate treatment for the medical condition will be needed.
What happens if rhabdomyolysis is left untreated?
When people overstress their muscles, they are at risk for the muscle tissue breaking down so much that it releases the protein myoglobin into the bloodstream. Myoglobin is toxic to the kidneys, which is why rhabdo can lead to kidney damage or complete kidney failure if left untreated, Arora explains.