Crush syndrome (also traumatic rhabdomyolysis or Bywaters' syndrome) is a serious medical condition characterized by major shock and renal failure following a crushing injury to skeletal muscle. Cases commonly occur in catastrophes such as earthquakes or war, where victims have been trapped under fallen masonry (the syndrome was discovered by British physician Eric Bywaters in patients during the 1941 London Blitz). In medicine, a trauma patient has suffered serious and life-threatening physical injury resulting in secondary complications such as shock, respiratory failure and death. ... Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of skeletal muscle due to injury. ... See drugs, medication, and pharmacology for substances that are used to treat patients. ... In medicine, shock (hypoperfusion) is a life-threatening medical emergency characterized by inability of the body to supply enough oxygen to meet tissue requirements. ... Kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed The kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. ... Structure of a skeletal muscle Skeletal muscle is a type of striated muscle, attached to the skeleton. ... Global earthquake epicenters, 1963–1998. ... An act of war - the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan during World War II War is a state of widespread conflict between states, organisations, or relatively large groups of people, which is characterised by the use of violent, physical force between combatants or upon civilians. ... A physician is a person who practices medicine. ... 1941 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... St. ... German bomber over the Surrey Docks, London The Blitz (also called the London Blitz), a popular English contraction of the German word Blitzkrieg, meaning Lightning War, was the sustained and intensive bombing of the United Kingdom by Nazi Germany during 1940-1941. ...

It is a reperfusion injury that appears after the release of the crushing pressure. The mechanism is believed to be the release into the bloodstream of toxic chemicals - notably myoglobin, potassium and phosphorus - that are the products of rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of skeletal muscle damaged by ischemic conditions). The absence of oxygen and nutrient in ischemia creates a condition in which the restoration of circulation results in oxidative damage from the oxygen rather than restoration of normal function. ... For a list of biologically injurious substances, including toxins and other materials, as well as their effects, see poison. ... Myoglobin 3D structure. ... General Name, Symbol, Number potassium, K, 19 Chemical series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1, 4, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 39. ... This article is about the chemical element. ... Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of skeletal muscle due to injury. ... In medicine, ischemia (Greek ισχαιμία, isch- is restriction, hema or haema is blood) is a restriction in blood supply, generally due to factors in the blood vessels, with resultant damage or dysfunction of tissue. ...

The specific action on the kidneys is not fully understood, but may be due in part to nephrotoxic metabolites of myoglobin. Kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed The kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. ... Nephrotoxicity is a poisonous effect of some substances, both toxins and medication, on the kidney. ... A metabolite is the product of metabolism. ...