Rhabdomyolysis

Treatment

Seek treatment as soon as you suspect rhabdo! If treated early, most rhabdo patients return to work in a few days without any lasting effects. Treatment options depend on how severe the rhabdo is. Only a healthcare provider can determine how severe it is through blood tests, electrocardiograms (also known as EKGs), etc.

Less severe cases can be treated with:

• Drinking fluids
• Getting out of the heat
• Resting

Moderate to severe cases may need intravenous (IV) fluids and hospital admission.

• IV fluids help flush out the muscle proteins and electrolytes. IV fluids can prevent dangerous heart rhythms and loss of kidney function.
• At a hospital, medical professionals can monitor and treat severe cases for:
  • abnormal heart rhythms
  • decreased kidney function
  • seizures
  • elevated compartment pressures
  • high potassium levels