The US military wants to spot dangerous muscle breakdowns before they put troops in the hospital

"Exertional rhabdomyolysis, known as "rhabdo," is a serious medical condition brought on by physical exertion or even heat exposure, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it has sidelined hundreds of US troops in recent years, prompting the military to look closely at how to spot it. Rhabdo occurs when damaged muscle tissues release proteins and electrolytes into the bloodstream, damaging organs."

"Symptoms, which can mimic those of other heat-related illnesses, include nausea and vomiting, kidney damage, heart arrhythmias, and in some cases death or permanent disability. Because it can look like other common illnesses, exertional rhabdomyolysis can be tricky to diagnose and easily missed. Dr. Francis O'Connor, a professor of military and emergency medicine, said in a military news release that new policy changes will help protect troops and speed up recovery times with clearer diagnostic criteria and better ways to identify at-risk troops."

Exertional rhabdomyolysis is a heat- or exertion-triggered breakdown of muscle that releases proteins and electrolytes into the bloodstream, risking kidney damage, heart arrhythmias, disability, or death. Symptoms can mimic other heat illnesses, making diagnosis difficult and cases easy to miss. New military clinical practice guidelines establish clearer diagnostic criteria, recovery plans, and methods to identify at-risk personnel to speed safe return to duty. High-risk individuals include those with elevated muscle enzymes, muscle compartment syndrome, kidney problems, or sickle cell trait. Mild cases can be managed outpatient while severe cases require rapid medical intervention to prevent organ damage.

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