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What is Myositis? |
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Symptoms
Myositis is an illness of the connective tissues, causing muscle swollenness. The symptom most identified with this is muscle debilitation, particularly on those muscle groups which are nearest to the trunk, like the hips or the biceps. The patient eventually acquires an impairment in loco-motor functions, such as climbing the stairs and standing up from a seated position. The initial symptoms gradually (yet progressively) appear, so detecting them at the early stages is difficult. These also occur in intermittent severities for weeks or months at a time. The muscle fatigue is symmetrically experienced, meaning that they occur in equal intensities on both sides of the body; the patient may also find it difficult to swallow at times (dysphagia), or he may experience a slight tenderness in the joints.
Causes
The condition is classified as an inflammatory myopathy, a disease or dysfunction of the muscles. Its actual cause is as yet unknown; bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections have been established as causes to an inflammatory myopathy, but in general, specialists are unable to detect a preexisting infection with myositis. There are a few conditions which are similar to myositis; dermatomyositis, for instance, can cause skin rashes and inflammation, and inclusion body myositis results in similar symptoms, although these develop at a less progressive rate. Myositis is also associated with cancer, and with connective tissue illnesses like lupus and scleroderma. There is even an initial theory that the condition may also be caused by a few viral conditions, not excluding HIV, and that viral infections can contribute to its development.
Diagnosis
As a supplement to a rigorous physical exam, the doctor may employ numerous diagnostic tests for the establishment of myositis in a patient. A family history assessment may assist in determining if the condition is actually muscular dystrophy instead of myositis (the former is a genetic condition, and its symptoms start in childhood). Muscle stimulation may be conducted with mild electrical shocks (electromyography) in order to detect pattern changes which are indicative of a muscle disease, or a blood test which measures the level of certain muscle enzymes may be done to look for damage in muscle mass. The latter may also be used to detect autantibodies in the bloodstream, agents which have been associated with the symptoms of myositis. Muscle biopsies and MRI scans may then be employed to assist the doctor in making a final diagnosis.
Treatment Info
Treatments for myositis can improve on muscle endurance and functioning, but ultimately, they can’t cure myositis. These are ideally employed at the early stages of the disease because they are more potent and tend to cause fewer complications. Corticosteroids (particularly prednisone) are normally the first treatment option for such, as these inhibit the immune system and limit the creation of antibodies, leading to a decrease in muscle swollenness. If the patient’s body won’t respond to it, other immunosuppressive medications may be prescribed, including azathioprine and methotrexate; these may be taken alone or as a supplement to corticosteroids. The patient would also need to undergo a maintained physical therapy program to improve and maintain muscle endurance, tone, and flexibility.
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