Causes include:

• Trauma (such as a car accident), especially crush injuries

• Extended overexertion of the muscles (such as during marathon running)

• Blockage of an artery or vein that leads to muscle death (such as deep vein thrombosis)

• High-voltage electric shock (such as from lightning or power lines)

• Seizures

• Abuse of alcohol

• Use of certain illegal drugs

• Taking certain prescription drugs, such as statins

• Infection

• Heat stroke

• Metabolic imbalances

• Polymyositis, an inflammatory condition

• Severe burns

• Certain genetic disorders

• Prolonged immobilization

Rhabdomyolysis is a medical emergency. If you have any of the following symptoms, go to the emergency room:

• Dark, brownish or pinkish-red urine

• Unusually stiff, achy, or tender muscles

• Unusual muscle weakness

Other symptoms include fever, malaise, nausea, vomiting, and bruising.

As the condition worsens, other symptoms may occur. If you have any of these symptoms, go to the emergency room:

• Swelling of the hands and feet

• Trouble breathing

• Abnormal heartbeat

• Unexplained bleeding

Treatment is always done in the hospital. An intravenous (IV) line is put into a vein in your arm or hand. IV fluids are then given to flush myoglobin and other harmful substances from the blood. Medicines may also be given to protect the kidneys. Other medicines are given to treat fluid and chemical imbalances and to help prevent complications. You may also be given pain medicine to control discomfort.

The hospital stay for rhabdomyolysis is several days or longer. During this time, you’re monitored to be sure no further problems develop. Your kidneys are checked for long-term damage. And the underlying cause of the condition is determined and treated if needed.

With early treatment, the kidneys often recover without long-term damage. In some cases, though, permanent kidney damage may have been done. If this is the case, your doctor will talk to you about any further treatment that is needed. And you and your doctor can discuss treating any underlying medical cause of the condition.