 The symptoms of rhabdomyolysis depend on its severity and whether kidney failure develops . Milder forms may not cause any muscle symptoms , and the diagnosis is based on abnormal blood tests in the context of other problems . More severe rhabdomyolysis is characterized by muscle pain , tenderness , weakness and swelling of the affected muscles . If the swelling is very rapid , as may happen after someone is released from under a collapsed building , the movement of fluid from the bloodstream into damaged muscle may cause low blood pressure and shock . Other symptoms are nonspecific and result either from the consequences of muscle tissue breakdown or from the condition that originally led to the muscle breakdown . Release of the components of muscle tissue into the bloodstream causes electrolyte disturbances , which can lead to nausea , vomiting , confusion , coma or abnormal heart rate and rhythm . The urine may be dark , often described as " tea @-@ colored " , due to the presence of myoglobin . Damage to the kidneys may give rise to decreased or absent urine production , usually 12 to 24 hours after the initial muscle damage . 
