What is polymyositis (PM)?
Polymyositis is an uncommon inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness on both sides of your body. This can make it difficult to climb stairs, rise from a seated position, lift objects, or reach overhead.
Polymyositis most commonly affects adults in their 30s, 40s, or 50s. It is more common in black people than in white people and women are affected more often than men. Signs and symptoms usually develop gradually over weeks or months.
There is no cure for polymyositis, but treatments can improve muscle strength and function.
Explanation of medical terms and concepts Polymyositis
Polymyositis is associate inflammatory muscle illness that causes muscle weakness. redness means that inflammation of muscle. Usually, polymyositis affects the muscles that are nighest to the trunk of the body. Eventually, folks with polymyositis have hassle once rising from a sitting position, mounting stairs, lifting objects, or reaching overhead. In some cases, muscles that don't seem to be on the point of the trunk of the body become affected because the disease progresses. myositis develops step by step over time, and it seldom affects persons younger than age 18. it's a lot of common in girls (by regarding two to 1). If the condition is in the middle of associate inflammatory method that strikes the skin as well, it's referred to as myositis. myositis may be gift together with alternative illnesses. each polymyositis and dermatomyositis will generally be related to cancers, together with lymphoma, breast, lung, ovarian, and colon cancer.
Polymyositis also known as PM is a rare inflammatory muscle disease that typically affects the shoulders and pelvic region It causes weakness in the affected muscles which may result in disability if they are not treated appropriately and consistently Most individuals only have one attack of polymyositis during their lifetimes but some have recurrent attacks that can be triggered by infection or exposure to certain medications
Polymyositis is a chronic-pain condition of the muscles that primarily affects adults between 20 and 50 years old It causes weakness muscle pain and inflammation (redness and swelling) Unlike another muscular disease—rheumatoid arthritis—polymyositis attacks only your muscles not other body organs
Symptoms polymyositis (PM)
Polymyositis is a condition that causes muscle weakness in the areas near your body's trunk. This weakness affects both your left and right sides, and it tends to gradually worsen.
When to see a doctor
If you develop unexplained muscle weakness, see a doctor.
Causes polymyositis (PM)
The cause of polymyositis is unknown, but the disease shares many features with autoimmune disorders in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body tissues.
Risk factors
Your risk of polymyositis is higher if you have lupus or any of the other diseases listed.
Complications
Some complications of polymyositis may include:
- Difficulty swallowing.If your muscles in your esophagus are not working correctly, you may have trouble swallowing (dysphagia) which can lead to weight loss and malnutrition.
- Aspiration pneumonia.Swallowing food or liquids can cause you to breathe in food or liquid, including saliva, which can lead to pneumonia.
- Breathing problems.If you have chest muscles that are affected by the disease, you may experience breathing problems. For example, shortness of breath or respiratory failure.
Associated conditions
Polymyositis can sometimes be associated with other conditions, some of which may cause complications on their own or in combination with polymyositis symptoms. Associated conditions include:
- Raynaud's phenomenon.When you are cold, your fingers, toes, cheeks, and nose initially turn pale.
- Other connective tissue diseases.Polymyositis can occur in combination with other conditions such as lupus rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Sjogren's syndrome.
- Cardiovascular disease.Polymyositis may cause the muscular walls of your heart to become inflamed (myocarditis). In a small number of people with polymyositis, congestive heart failure and heart arrhythmias may develop.
- Lung disease.Polymyositis may cause a condition called interstitial lung disease. This refers to a group of disorders that cause scarring (fibrosis) of lung tissue, making the lungs stiff and inelastic. People with this condition may experience a dry cough and shortness of breath.
- Cancer.People who have polymyositis have an increased risk of cancer.
Diagnosis polymyositis (PM)
If your doctor suspects you have polymyositis, he or she might suggest some of the following tests: -A muscle biopsy to determine the extent of the disease -Blood tests to check for signs of an infection -An MRI or CT scan to look for signs of muscle damage
- Blood tests.Your doctor will be able to tell from a blood test if you have high levels of muscle enzymes, which could indicate damage to your muscles. A blood test can also detect antibodies associated with different symptoms of polymyositis, so that the best treatment plan can be determined.
- Electromyography. This test involves inserting a thin needle into the skin to measure electrical activity. When you relax or tighten the muscle, the pattern of electrical activity changes, which can confirm that you have a muscle disease. The doctor can determine where the disease is located by looking at the distribution of the illness.You can try different muscles.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).A scanner produces cross-sectional images of your muscles. These images are generated by a powerful magnetic field and radio waves. Unlike a muscle biopsy, which can assess inflammation over a large area, an MRI can assess inflammation over a large area.
- Muscle biopsy.During this test, a small piece of muscle tissue will be surgically removed for laboratory analysis. This may reveal abnormalities such as inflammation damage that affects certain proteins or enzyme deficiencies.
Treatment polymyositis (PM)
There is no cure for polymyositis, but treatment can improve muscle strength and function. The earlier treatment is started, the better it will be — leading to fewer complications.
Although there is no one approach that works for everyone, your doctor will tailor your treatment based on your symptoms and how well it responds to therapy.
Medications
Some of the most commonly used medications to treat polymyositis include:
- Corticosteroids.Prednisone is an effective drug for controlling polymyositis symptoms. However, long-term use can have serious side effects, so your doctor may gradually reduce the dose of the medication until it is no longer effective.
- Corticosteroid-sparing agents. When polymyositis is treated with a combination of a corticosteroid and another drug, the dosage and potential side effects of the corticosteroid may be decreased. The most common medications used to treat polymyositis are azathioprine (Azasan Imuran) and methotrexate (Trexall). Other treatments that can be prescribed for polymyositis include hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), prednisone, and cycl CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil), cyclosporine, and tacrolimus are medications used to treat cancer.
- Rituximab (Rituxan).If initial therapies do not adequately control your polymyositis symptoms, rituximab may be an option. This medication is often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Therapy
If you have symptoms that your doctor deems severe, he or she might suggest one or more of the following:
- Physical therapy.A physical therapist can help you maintain and improve your strength and flexibility and advise you on the appropriate level of activity for you.
- Speech therapy.If you have polymyositis, your swallowing muscles may be weakened as a result of speech therapy. However, by learning how to compensate for those changes, you can improve your speech.
- Dietetic assessment.Polymyositis can make chewing and swallowing more difficult as time goes on. A registered dietitian can help you make easy-to-eat, nutritious foods.
Surgical and other medical procedures.
IVIg is a purified blood product that contains antibodies from many donors. When given as an infusion, this can help to block the damaging antibodies that attack muscle in polymyositis. IVIg treatments may need to be repeated, depending on the results of the initial treatment. Keep applying decoupage to the leaf every few days for continued results.
Coping and support
Living with a chronic autoimmune disease can at times make you feel like you're not able to handle the challenge. To help you cope, try supplementing your medical care with the following suggestions:
- Know your illness.Be as informed as you can about polymyositis and other muscle and autoimmune disorders. Talk to other people who have this condition, and don't be afraid to ask your doctor any questions. Make sure to keep up to date on all aspects of your illness, including your diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Be a part of your medical team.You are in charge of your own treatment. Follow the treatment plan you agreed to with your doctor and any other medical experts involved. Be sure to keep them updated on any new signs or symptoms you may experience.
- Know and assert your limits.Be able to say no effectively and ask for help when you need it.
- Rest when you're tired.Do not wait until you are exhausted. This will only make it harder for your body to rest and recover, which will lead to a decreased level of energy and an increased feeling of stress. learn to pace yourself so that you can maintain a consistent level of energy and accomplish the same amount with less stress.
- Acknowledge your emotions. It's normal to feel anger and frustration when you have an illness. Things may not seem normal or fair, and you may feel out of control. Feelings of fear and isolation are common, so stay close to your family and friends. Try to maintain your daily routine as best you can, and Do not neglect your favorite activities. Many people find support groups to be helpful.
Preparing for your appointment
Your family doctor might first take you to see a doctor who specializes in treating arthritis and other diseases of the joints, or to see a doctor who specializes in disorders of the nervous system. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in neurology.
What you can do
When you go to see your doctor, be sure to bring a record of your symptoms. It may be difficult to pinpoint the exact time that symptoms began, but try to estimate when you first noticed weakness or which muscles have been affected. You might want to include a list that includes:
- Your doctor will provide a detailed description of your symptoms, including which muscles are affected.
- Health information about the medical problems you've had.
- This information includes information about the medical problems your parents or siblings have.
- All the medicines and supplements you take will be stored in your body.
- Questions you want to ask the doctor
Before your appointment, make a list of questions you would like to ask your doctor. Some basic questions to ask may include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms?
- Can you think of any other reasons for my symptoms?
- Are the symptoms likely to go away over time?
- What kind of tests will I need? Do I need to do any special preparations?
- What are the available treatments for my condition? What do you think would be best for me?
- What are some of the other medical conditions that I have? How can I best manage them together?
- Can you tell me where I can find brochures or other printed material about your museum? What websites do you recommend?
Don't be afraid to ask your doctor any questions that come to mind during your appointment.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will likely ask you a few questions, such as:
- When did you first notice that you were not as strong as you used to be?
- How did your condition develop? Did it gradually worsen or did it come on suddenly?
- Do you feel tired after waking up?
- What other symptoms are you experiencing?
- Can you do the activities that you normally enjoy?
- Do any of your family members have a disease or condition that affects the muscles?
- Do you currently have any medications or supplements in your diet?
- What might help improve your symptoms?
- What are the possible risks/problems associated with this treatment?
General summary
Polymyositis is an inflammatory muscle disease It usually results from an autoimmune reaction in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks itself The disease most often occurs as a result of another medical condition or medication use; for example patients with polymyositis frequently have underlying auto-immune disorders such as lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis and are taking immunosuppressant medications such as prednisone
polymyositis rheumatica
Polymyositis is an inflammatory disorder of the muscles but not all patients have muscle inflammation In fact some may never get myositis at all Instead their muscles have just become weak and fatigued from a process called "eccentric contraction," which involves using certain muscles to move your body in ways that are unusual for them People who do get muscle inflammation can show symptoms ranging from minimal to severe with the severity dependent on how fast or far the inflammation spreads throughout the body's entire muscle-tissue network People can also experience this condition different times during their lives In most cases it occurs when people are
Polymyositis treatment is primarily focused on managing the symptoms of this disease It typically involves steroid medications although there are other options such as immunosuppressants and physical therapy Steroids work by reducing inflammation in the body helping to manage muscle wasting and lung problems that can occur with polymyositis While steroids do not cure the underlying problem they can help with pain management and leave patients feeling more comfortable while their bodies heal naturally on its own
What medications treat polymyositis?
Medications used to treat polymyositis include: Glucocorticoids (steroid medications) such as prednisone dexamethasone and methylprednisolone These medications work by calming the immune system's inflammation response Another benefit of these drugs is that they can relieve pain caused by muscle spasms or muscle weakness The downside: it takes weeks for them to take effect and side effects include weight gain increased blood pressure and increased risk of infection Another concern with steroids involves their ability to thin your blood which increases the likelihood of bleeding particularly in older patients who are already at
How long can you live with polymyositis?
Polymyositis is a muscle condition that causes pain weakness and stiffness in the body's muscles It can affect people of all ages and usually isn't life-threatening unless complications arise from it Many patients live full lives with polymyositis because advances in treatments make living with this disease manageable With treatment most people who have polymyositis live for 20 years or more
Can you recover from polymyositis?
Patients who have polymyositis can be incapacitated for several months During this time the patient will gradually improve as long as he or she is able to rest and avoid causing further damage to the muscles with unnecessary activity As the damaged muscles begin to heal patients may notice muscle tenderness joint pain and stiffness in areas that had previously been affected Once they are able to move again they can start an exercise program to rebuild strength endurance and mobility in their arms and legs Patients may also benefit from physical therapy sessions to help regain range of motion in their joints
Polymyositis is a painful inflammatory muscle disorder that has no known cure The symptoms include severe muscle weakness and severe pain in the muscles of the upper arms legs and back This may occur at the same time or at different times during the illness Some patients with polymyositis may develop involvement of their lungs skin and kidneys as well