RestoredCDC.org Comparison

    Original site: www.cdc.gov/niosh/rhabdo/about/index.html | RestoredCDC.org is an independent project, not affiliated with CDC or any federal entity. Visit CDC.gov for free official information. Due to archival on January 6, 2025, recent outbreak data is unavailable. Videos are not restored. Access data.restoredcdc.org for restored data. Use of this site implies acceptance of this disclaimer.
    [More]
    About Us Report Bug Compare Content
  Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search Skip directly to On This Page
          An official website of the United States government
        Here's how you know
              Official websites use .gov
              A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
              Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
              A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
        National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
        National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Rhabdomyolysis
          Explore Topics
        Search
          Search
          Clear Input
      Rhabdomyolysis
        For Everyone
          * About
          * Signs and Symptoms
          * Risk Factors
          * Reducing Risk
          * Treatment
          * View all
        View All
      search close search
          search
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
    Rhabdomyolysis Menu Close
    Rhabdomyolysis Menu
          search
              For Everyone
                  * About
                  * Signs and Symptoms
                  * Risk Factors
                  * Reducing Risk
                  * Treatment
                  * View All
        View All Rhabdomyolysis
  NIOSH Rhabdomyolysis
May 21, 2024
  Español
  Rhabdomyolysis and Work
          Key points
            * Rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) is a serious medical condition that can lead to permanent disability or death.
            * Workplace risk factors include heat exposure and physical exertion.
            * Rhabdo symptoms can look similar to heat-related illnesses and dehydration; only testing can tell the difference.
            * Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent death and disability.
        What it is
        Rhabdo is a serious medical condition. Rhabdo occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases its proteins and electrolytes into the blood. These substances can damage your organs and lead to:
          * Death
          * Dangerous heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
          * Seizures
          * Kidney damage or kidney failure
          * Permanent disability
          * Nausea and vomiting
        Rhabdo can occur from any type of muscle damage. This includes heat, overuse, accidents, or other causes.
        Signs and symptoms
        If you develop rhabdo, you might have 1 or more of these symptoms:
          * Muscle cramps, aches, or pains that are more severe than expected
          * Dark urine (tea- or cola-colored)
          * Feeling weak or tired, unable to complete tasks or finish a workout you were able to do previously
        You can’t tell by symptoms alone if you have rhabdo. The only way to know for sure is to see a healthcare provider. They can order blood tests for creatine kinase (CK), a marker for muscle damage. You need repeated tests to see if CK levels are rising or falling.
          Seek medical care ‎
          Seek medical care
              If you have any of these symptoms at any time, do not ignore them. Seek medical treatment right away. Earlier diagnosis means an earlier start to treatment and a greater chance of recovery without permanent health effects.
          Keep Reading: Signs and Symptoms of Rhabdomyolsis (Rhabdo)
        Risk factors
          Farm workers perform physical labor in the heat, increasing their risk for rhabdo.
        Anyone can get rhabdo, but some workers are at a higher risk than others.
        Workplace risk factors include:
          * Heat exposure
          * Physical exertion
          * Direct trauma (e.g., crush injury from a fall)
        Other risk factors
        There are also non-work-related factors that can increase your risk. This includes some medical conditions, behaviors, and use of certain medications.
          Keep Reading: Risk Factors for Rhabdomyolysis (Rhabdo)
        Prevention
        Workers and employers can take action to lower workers' risk of rhabdo. Some important steps include:
          * Preventing workers from getting overheated
          * Encouraging workers to seek medical care when experiencing symptoms
          Keep Reading: Reducing Risk for Rhabdomyolysis (Rhabdo)
        Treatment and recovery
        Early treatment can prevent serious medical problems. It also increases your chances of a quick recovery and return to work without any lasting negative health effects.
        Workers with symptoms of rhabdo should:
          * Stop activity
          * Drink more liquids (water preferred)
          * Seek immediate care at the nearest medical facility
        If heat stroke is suspected, follow these first aid steps.
          Keep Reading: Treatment of Rhabdomyolysis (Rhabdo)
        Myths and misconceptions
          Even athletes can get rhabdo.
        It’s a common misconception that only unfit or out of shape people get rhabdo. People in great shape, such as firefighters, marathon runners, and professional athletes, get rhabdo. It can happen to anyone and even after activities you have done in the past without a problem.
        People also falsely believe dehydration causes rhabdo. Dehydration doesn't cause rhabdo but it can make it worse. Dehydration impairs the body's ability to get rid of the proteins and electrolytes in the blood stream released from damaged muscle. These proteins and electrolytes cause organ damage.
        Related conditions
        Heat-related illnesses
        Other heat-related conditions, like heat exhaustion and heat cramps, can cause similar symptoms. Learn more about heat-related illnesses.
        Compartment syndrome
        Compartment syndrome is a painful condition also caused by muscle damage. Some muscles are grouped together inside a thin, fibrous sheath or covering. Swelling from muscle damage inside the sheath can cause pressure to build, because the sheath cannot stretch very far. This swelling and pressure can prevent blood flow to muscles, causing the muscle to die.
        Compartment syndrome is not common, but it is important to get immediate medical treatment. Delayed treatment can cause permanent disability.
        Resources
        See the NIOSHTIC-2 database search results on rhabdo. NIOSHTIC-2 is a database of occupational safety and health publications funded in whole or in part by NIOSH.
        On This Page
            * What it is
            * Signs and symptoms
            * Risk factors
            * Prevention
            * Treatment and recovery
            * Myths and misconceptions
            * Related conditions
            * Resources
          Related PagesSigns and Symptoms
          Related Pages
        * 
 
            * Signs and Symptoms
            * Risk Factors
            * Reducing Risk
        * 
            * Treatment
        * 
          View All Rhabdomyolysis
 
    Signs and Symptoms
        Back to Top
  May 21, 2024
      Sources Print Share
        Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Syndicate
          Content Source:
        National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
      Related PagesSigns and Symptoms
      Related Pages
    * 
 
        * Signs and Symptoms
        * Risk Factors
        * Reducing Risk
    * 
        * Treatment
    * 
      View All Rhabdomyolysis
  Back to Top
    NIOSH
    The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established NIOSH as a research agency focused on the study of worker safety and health, and empowering employers and workers to create safe and healthy workplaces.
    View All
        For Everyone
          * About
          * Signs and Symptoms
          * Risk Factors
          * Reducing Risk
          * Treatment
        Sign up for Email Updates
    Contact Us
        Contact Us
          * Call 800-232-4636
          * Contact CDC
    About CDC
        About CDC
          * Pressroom
          * Organization
          * Budget & Funding
          * Careers & Jobs
    Policies
              * Accessibility
              * External Links
              * Privacy
              * Web Policies
              * FOIA
              * OIG
              * No Fear Act
              * Nondiscrimination
              * Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
    Languages
            Languages
              * Español
            Language Assistance
                  * Español
                  * 繁體中文
                  * Tiếng Việt
                  * 한국어
                  * Tagalog
                  * Русский
                  * العربية
                  * Kreyòl Ayisyen
                  * Français
                  * Polski
                  * Português
                  * Italiano
                  * Deutsch
                  * 日本語
                  * فارسی
                  * English
    Archive
          * CDC Archive
          * Public Health Publications
    Contact Us
      Contact Us
        * Call 800-232-4636
        * Contact CDC
    About CDC
        * Pressroom
        * Organization
        * Budget & Funding
        * Careers & Jobs
        * About CDC
    Policies
        * Accessibility
        * External Links
        * Privacy
        * Web Policies
        * FOIA
        * OIG
        * No Fear Act
        * Nondiscrimination
        * Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
    Languages
      Languages
        * Español
      Language Assistance
        * Español
        * 繁體中文
        * Tiếng Việt
        * 한국어
        * Tagalog
        * Русский
        * العربية
        * Kreyòl Ayisyen
        * Français
        * Polski
        * Português
        * Italiano
        * Deutsch
        * 日本語
        * فارسی
        * English
    Archive
        * CDC Archive
        * Public Health Publications
    HHS.gov USA.gov