Rhabdomyolysis due to excessive exercise and muscle damage
Rhabdomyolysis is a disease in which muscle cells are destroyed due to damage to skeletal muscles, causing substances inside the muscle cells to be released into the blood.
This disease can be caused by a variety of causes, including excessive exercise, trauma, exposure to drugs or toxins, and infections.
If not diagnosed and treated quickly, rhabdomyolysis can lead to serious complications, including kidney failure, electrolyte imbalances, and shock.
The causes of rhabdomyolysis can be broadly divided into external and internal factors.
1. External factors
- Excessive exercise: This can occur especially if an untrained person suddenly engages in intense exercise. This is commonly reported in military training, marathons, and triathlons.
- Trauma: Physical damage caused by a traffic accident or building collapse, etc.
- Compression syndrome: When muscles are damaged by prolonged pressure.
- Electrical damage: electric shock, etc.
2. Internal factors
- Metabolic abnormalities: genetic metabolic disorders, electrolyte imbalance.
- Drugs and toxins: Some drugs (e.g. statins, cholesterol drugs, some antibiotics) and alcohol, illegal drugs.
- Infection: Infection caused by viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens.
The pathological mechanism of rhabdomyolysis is related to damage to muscle cells.
When muscle cells are damaged, the permeability of the cell membrane increases and intracellular substances are released into the blood.
Key substances include myoglobin, potassium, phosphoric acid, and creatine kinase (CK).
1. Myoglobin: A protein inside muscle cells that is excreted through the kidneys. Excess myoglobin can damage the kidneys, leading to acute kidney failure.
2. Potassium: May cause hyperkalemia, which may lead to cardiac arrhythmias.
3. Phosphoric acid: It may increase phosphoric acid levels in the blood.
4. Creatine Kinase (CK): Used as an important indicator of muscle damage.
The main symptoms of rhabdomyolysis are:
1. Muscle pain and tenderness: Mainly occurs in large muscle groups and may be accompanied by muscle weakness and stiffness.
2. Dark urine: Myoglobinuria may cause dark urine.
3. Fatigue and weakness: General fatigue and lethargy.
4. Edema and swelling: Swelling at the site of muscle damage.
Diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis is primarily based on clinical symptoms and blood tests. The main diagnostic methods are:
1. Blood tests: Creatine kinase (CK) levels are significantly increased, indicating the extent of muscle damage. Additionally, blood potassium, phosphate, and myoglobin levels are important.
2. Urine test: Confirm myoglobinuria.
3. Electrocardiogram (ECG): Check for cardiac arrhythmia due to hyperkalemia.
Treatment of rhabdomyolysis focuses on eliminating the underlying cause and preventing complications.
1. Fluid therapy: Administer large amounts of fluid to protect kidney function and promote the elimination of myoglobin through the kidneys.
2. Electrolyte correction: Corrects electrolyte imbalance such as hyperkalemia.
3. Dialysis therapy: If acute kidney failure occurs, dialysis may be necessary.
4. Drug treatment: Appropriate medication is used depending on the cause of muscle damage. For example, if statin drugs are the cause, the use of the drugs is stopped or adjusted.
The prognosis for rhabdomyolysis depends on the cause, degree of damage, and timing of treatment.
With appropriate treatment, most patients recover, but the prognosis may be worse if acute renal failure or severe electrolyte imbalance occurs.
1. Acute renal failure: Requires immediate treatment and may require ongoing dialysis if kidney function does not recover.
2. Hyperkalemia: There is a risk of cardiac arrhythmia and requires immediate correction.
To prevent rhabdomyolysis, you can take the following steps:
1. Appropriate exercise: It is important to avoid sudden high-intensity exercise and gradually increase exercise intensity.
2. Caution on drug use: If you use drugs that can cause muscle damage, such as statins, consult your doctor to minimize side effects.
3. Drink plenty of fluids: Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids, especially during strenuous exercise or in hot weather.
4. Disease management: Properly manage metabolic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure to reduce the risk of muscle damage.
Rhabdomyolysis is a disease that can be caused by a variety of causes, and prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important.
This can prevent serious complications and improve patient prognosis.
You can prevent the development of rhabdomyolysis by not overexerting yourself when exercising, being careful when using medications, drinking enough water, and managing your overall health.
This disease can be caused by a variety of causes, including excessive exercise, trauma, exposure to drugs or toxins, and infections.
If not diagnosed and treated quickly, rhabdomyolysis can lead to serious complications, including kidney failure, electrolyte imbalances, and shock.
The causes of rhabdomyolysis can be broadly divided into external and internal factors.
1. External factors
- Excessive exercise: This can occur especially if an untrained person suddenly engages in intense exercise. This is commonly reported in military training, marathons, and triathlons.
- Trauma: Physical damage caused by a traffic accident or building collapse, etc.
- Compression syndrome: When muscles are damaged by prolonged pressure.
- Electrical damage: electric shock, etc.
2. Internal factors
- Metabolic abnormalities: genetic metabolic disorders, electrolyte imbalance.
- Drugs and toxins: Some drugs (e.g. statins, cholesterol drugs, some antibiotics) and alcohol, illegal drugs.
- Infection: Infection caused by viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens.
The pathological mechanism of rhabdomyolysis is related to damage to muscle cells.
When muscle cells are damaged, the permeability of the cell membrane increases and intracellular substances are released into the blood.
Key substances include myoglobin, potassium, phosphoric acid, and creatine kinase (CK).
1. Myoglobin: A protein inside muscle cells that is excreted through the kidneys. Excess myoglobin can damage the kidneys, leading to acute kidney failure.
2. Potassium: May cause hyperkalemia, which may lead to cardiac arrhythmias.
3. Phosphoric acid: It may increase phosphoric acid levels in the blood.
4. Creatine Kinase (CK): Used as an important indicator of muscle damage.
The main symptoms of rhabdomyolysis are:
1. Muscle pain and tenderness: Mainly occurs in large muscle groups and may be accompanied by muscle weakness and stiffness.
2. Dark urine: Myoglobinuria may cause dark urine.
3. Fatigue and weakness: General fatigue and lethargy.
4. Edema and swelling: Swelling at the site of muscle damage.
Diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis is primarily based on clinical symptoms and blood tests. The main diagnostic methods are:
1. Blood tests: Creatine kinase (CK) levels are significantly increased, indicating the extent of muscle damage. Additionally, blood potassium, phosphate, and myoglobin levels are important.
2. Urine test: Confirm myoglobinuria.
3. Electrocardiogram (ECG): Check for cardiac arrhythmia due to hyperkalemia.
Treatment of rhabdomyolysis focuses on eliminating the underlying cause and preventing complications.
1. Fluid therapy: Administer large amounts of fluid to protect kidney function and promote the elimination of myoglobin through the kidneys.
2. Electrolyte correction: Corrects electrolyte imbalance such as hyperkalemia.
3. Dialysis therapy: If acute kidney failure occurs, dialysis may be necessary.
4. Drug treatment: Appropriate medication is used depending on the cause of muscle damage. For example, if statin drugs are the cause, the use of the drugs is stopped or adjusted.
The prognosis for rhabdomyolysis depends on the cause, degree of damage, and timing of treatment.
With appropriate treatment, most patients recover, but the prognosis may be worse if acute renal failure or severe electrolyte imbalance occurs.
1. Acute renal failure: Requires immediate treatment and may require ongoing dialysis if kidney function does not recover.
2. Hyperkalemia: There is a risk of cardiac arrhythmia and requires immediate correction.
To prevent rhabdomyolysis, you can take the following steps:
1. Appropriate exercise: It is important to avoid sudden high-intensity exercise and gradually increase exercise intensity.
2. Caution on drug use: If you use drugs that can cause muscle damage, such as statins, consult your doctor to minimize side effects.
3. Drink plenty of fluids: Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids, especially during strenuous exercise or in hot weather.
4. Disease management: Properly manage metabolic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure to reduce the risk of muscle damage.
Rhabdomyolysis is a disease that can be caused by a variety of causes, and prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important.
This can prevent serious complications and improve patient prognosis.
You can prevent the development of rhabdomyolysis by not overexerting yourself when exercising, being careful when using medications, drinking enough water, and managing your overall health.