What color of urine is commonly associated with rhabdomyolysis?

The color of urine that is commonly associated with rhabdomyolysis is dark brown. Rhabdomyolysis occurs when muscle tissue breaks down and releases myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can then be excreted in the urine. Myoglobinuria is the term used to describe the presence of myoglobin in the urine, and it often leads to a dark brown coloration due to the pigment of myoglobin.

In the context of rhabdomyolysis, this dark brown urine often indicates that muscle damage has occurred, potentially leading to complications like acute kidney injury if not addressed. The discoloration can be mistaken for hematuria, which is blood in the urine, but it's crucial to recognize that the presence of myoglobin, rather than blood, is responsible for the dark brown appearance in this condition.

Understanding the coloration of urine in the context of various medical conditions is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment, making the identification of dark brown urine as a symptom of rhabdomyolysis an important point of knowledge for healthcare providers.