Beginning in late August of last year, I developed a serious interest in weightlifting and the effect serious exercise has on the body. I love the science behind my fitness as much as the physical results that accompany it. Over the past five months, I have researched dozens of different fitness-related topics that benefit my workouts, my personal health, and my mind. One of these topics, which I discovered in the last week is Rhabdomyolysis.
Here is what I’ve learned about it…
Rhabdomyolysis is a musculoskeletal issue caused by the excessive production of myoglobin, due to an abnormal amount of skeletal muscle breakdown. This issue can stem from several factors, such as intense trauma, genetic disorders, recreational drugs, and intense exercise. Any number of factors, stemming from these broad categories can cause Rhabdomyolysis, however, many of the common symptoms of this syndrome correlate to those of other similar issues. Some of the common symptoms are muscle weakness, fatigue, dark urine, agitation, and bruising. For example, fatigue, dark urine, and weakness are also common symptoms of dehydration so it can be difficult to distinguish between rhabdomyolysis and other similar issues, like dehydration.
At first, these symptoms can seem relatively harmless, however, in the long run, a patient with Rhabdomyolysis can suffer kidney damage, due to the over processing of myoglobin. The safest way to prevent any kidney damage is, if any of these symptoms are experienced, to stop any exercise or exhausting labor, and go to a doctor. If a doctor suspects rhabdomyolysis, he or she will feel for tenderness in the patient’s muscles and possibly run a urine test to confirm. If excess amounts of potassium, creatine kinase, creatinine, or myoglobin are found in the urine sample, then the patient most likely is suffering from rhabdomyolysis.
Treatment for Rhabdomyolysis includes fluid recovery, medication (such as a bicarbonate), and dialysis (if severe). Patients are often told to rest, recover, and hydrate as well at home. If a mild case occurs, rest and recovery should result in nearly a full recovery of the kidneys, with little lingering pain or weakness. However, if severe, long term kidney damage can occur and prove fatal, requiring kidney removal or replacement.
As an athlete, this syndrome is something I should take seriously. I workout anywhere from four to seven times per week, which means there is a possibility that I could break down too much muscle, leading to Rhabdomyolysis. I am very careful how I treat my body, what I put myself through, and how I recover. However, this syndrome should come as a wakeup call. I need to be even more careful in my exercise, intake of protein and creatine (an excess of those can also cause kidney damage), and recovery.
J. Fletcher Brown 