About this topic
Your body is made up of many types of muscles. Skeletal muscles are muscles found in your leg, arms, belly, and other body parts. ‚
When your muscles are damaged or hurt, they release a substance called myoglobin into the blood stream. This condition is called rhabdomyolysis or rhabdo. Myoglobin is a protein that has iron in it. When you have too much of this substance in your blood, it can lead to kidney damage and other health problems. ‚
Treatment will depend on what is causing your rhabdo. It will also depend on how serious your condition is. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all your drugs as directed. Be sure to follow your doctors advice.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Quit smoking. If you have problems quitting, ask for help.
- Keep yourself hydrated, especially after exercise. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluids a day.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If dialysis is needed, your doctor will give you a specific schedule. It may be done 3 times a week or as directed by your doctor based on your condition.
- Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist if your illness is from too much alcohol drinking or drug use.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help clean out your kidneys
- Keep your body from being harmed by the myoglobin
Will physical activity be limited?
- Avoid tiring activities. Do not lift heavy objects.
- Ask your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. Be sure to ask your doctor before you do any activities.
What changes to diet are needed?
Your doctor may ask you to eat a special diet. This may mean you need to watch your potassium or your salt. Talk to your doctor about what foods are OK for you to eat. Ask for help from a dietician for your diet plan. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Kidney failure
- Nerve and muscle damage
- Swelling and high pressure in a confined space in your arm or leg
- Problems with the salts in your blood
- Blood clots in blood vessels
- Low blood pressure
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid too much exercise.
- Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Do not use illegal drugs like cocaine, amphetamines, or heroin.
- Only take drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Avoid crush injuries like from falls or accidents.
- Take extra care to stay well hydrated in hot weather.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine, bloody urine, or wound that will not heal.
- Swelling of the arms or leg that does not go away and gets worse in time
- Tiredness
- Muscle aches and stiffness
- Very painful joints
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how often I should try to drink fluids.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling in my arms or legs that does not go away or gets worse over time.
Where can I learn more?
American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine ‚
http://www.aanem.org/Education/Patient-Resources/Disorders/Rhabdomyolysis.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚