Myositis is the medical term for muscle inflammation. In myositis, inflammation
damages the fibers of a muscle
. This causes muscles to be weak by interfering with the ability of the muscles to contract. Although myositis can cause muscle aches and muscle tenderness, weakness is usually the dominant symptom.
What part of the body does myositis affect?
The main muscles to be affected are around
the shoulders, hips and thighs
. Having myositis can also lead to other parts of the body being affected, such as the skin, lungs or heart. Sometimes myositis can affect the muscles that carry out tasks such as breathing and swallowing.
What does myositis pain feel like?
Myositis is the name for a group of rare conditions. The main symptoms are
weak, painful or aching muscles
. This usually gets worse, slowly over time. You may also trip or fall a lot, and be very tired after walking or standing.
How bad can myositis get?
Nevertheless, myositis is a serious illness that, in most cases, needs to be treated aggressively. With inadequate or no treatment, myositis
can cause significant disability and even death
. There is no cure for any of the forms of myositis.
How do I know if I have myositis?
The main symptom of myositis is
muscle weakness
. The weakness may be noticeable or may only be found with testing. Muscle pain (myalgias) may or may not be present. Dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and other inflammatory myositis conditions tend to cause weakness that gets worse slowly over weeks or months.
How long can you live with myositis?
More than 95 percent of those with DM, PM, and NM are still alive
more than five years after diagnosis
. Many experience only one period of acute illness in their lifetime; others struggle with symptoms for years. One of the biggest problems in treating myositis is obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
How do they test for myositis?
Muscle and skin biopsy
are often the most definitive way to diagnose myositis diseases. Small samples of muscle tissue show abnormalities in muscles, including inflammation, damage, and abnormal proteins. For those with skin symptoms, doctors often biopsy a bit of skin to examine for characteristic abnormalities.
Who is most likely to get myositis?
Adults between the ages of 30 and 60, and
children between the ages of 5 and 15
are more likely to get myositis.
What type of doctor can diagnose myositis?
Many new patients have difficulty finding health care practitioners who know about myositis. Patients with dermatomyositis, polymyositis, or necrotizing myopathy are usually treated by
rheumatologists
. Those with dermatomyositis may also work with a dermatologist. Those with IBM are often treated by neurologists.
What is the difference between myositis and fibromyalgia?
One way myositis differs from fibromyalgia: “I teach physicians that myositis, in most cases, is
muscle weakness much more than muscle pain
. Typically, in fibromyalgia, there is no objective muscle strength problems — the muscles are painful and tender, but they’re not weak upon examination,” says Dr.
Is myositis considered a disability?
Individuals who are no longer able to work because of polymyositis or dermatomyositis may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Polymyositis is a muscle disease that causes inflammation of the muscle fibers.
Is myositis curable?
At present there is no cure for myositis
. A person with myositis will need to manage the condition and to adjust to the changes it brings. This may involve continuing to take medicine and seeing a doctor regularly. It may also require changing some activities especially during periods of increased pain and weakness.
Does exercise help myositis?
Physical exercise has been shown to reduce inflammation, reduce fatigue, increase stamina, and build muscle, even in patients with myositis. Indeed,
exercise is currently the only treatment recommendation for patients with inclusion body myositis
.
What does myositis rash look like?
The rash looks
patchy, dark, and reddish or purple
. It is most often found on the eyelids, cheeks, nose, back, upper chest, elbows, knees, and knuckles. While the rash of dermatomyositis may be the first sign of the disease, those with darker skin may not notice the rash as readily.
Can myositis affect the heart?
Myositis patients can
develop a number of cardiovascular problems
as a result of inflammation and fibrosis, including: Cardiomyopathy is any disease of the heart muscle. When the heart becomes weaker it is can’t pump blood through the body as effectively, and it can’t maintain a normal electrical rhythm.
Is myositis reversible?
As of now,
there is no cure for myositis
. However, management of the disease is critical in order to reduce inflammation caused by myositis and to prevent muscle weakness from progressing. Further, your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes so you can restore your strength.
