1. First Aid Essentials Slideshow Pictures
2. First Aid Bandaging Injuries Slideshow Pictures
3. First Aid Sprains & Strains Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

The goal of treatment to prevent kidney damage is to maximize the amount of fluid flowing through the nephrons and glomeruli in the kidney, in effect, trying to wash out the myoglobin fibers that can clog the filters of the kidney. The effect is to increase urine output, which can be measured and monitored.

• Diuretic medications, such as furosemide (Lasix) may be given intravenously to promote urine output. This may be used even if the patient is somewhat dehydrated, but close observation of the patient's vital signs, including blood pressure and pulse rate, is necessary.
  
  
• If the vital signs are stable, mannitol may also be injected intravenously to increase blood flow to the kidney and increase urine output.
  
  
• Sodium bicarbonate may be added to the intravenous saline solution to change the acid-base balance of the urine.
  
  
• Muscle injury may be extremely painful, and narcotic pain medications may be needed to control symptoms.

Must Read Articles Related to Rhabdomyolysis

Chemical Burns Chemical burns can occur in the home, at work or school, and as a result of accident or assault. Although few people in the United States die after contact with...learn more >>

Drug Overdose Overdoses of drugs or chemicals can be either accidental or intentional. Drug overdoses occur when a person takes more than the medically recommended dose. Howe...learn more >>

Epilepsy Epilepsy is a condition in which a person has recurrent seizures. A seizure is defined as an abnormal, disorderly discharging of the brain's nerve cells, result...learn more >>

See the Entire Rhabdomyolysis Topic Guide »