Myositis Disease

Myositis is a popular term used to describe swelling of the muscles. Disorders that cause inflammation are listed as myopathies and include polymyositis and dermatomyositis. These disorders normally affect the muscles in the neck, shoulders, hips, arms and legs and mostly affect people from age 20 to 40.

Causes

• Myositis is thought to be caused by autoimmune disease. The body's white blood cells attack healthy muscle tissue. Autoimmune diseases are believed to be caused by environmental factors.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of myositis include fatigue, falling, muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing and a thickening of the skin on the hands. These symptoms may come on gradually, sometimes over the course of several years, and they may also come and go.

Diagnosis

• Your doctor will perform a physical exam and access your muscle strength and tenderness. Blood tests will be performed to rule out other conditions such as lupus or scleroderma. Your doctor will perform a creatine blood test to see if levels of the enzyme are elevated. When muscle is damaged, it will leak creatine into the bloodstream. A sample of muscle tissue may be taken to biopsy, and this will confirm diagnosis.

Treatment

• Medication dosage will depend on how severe the inflammation is. Corticosteroids such as prednisone reduce inflammation and pain. Generally your doctor will start you on a high dose and gradually decrease the dose as symptoms improve. Corticosteroids can be taken orally or by injection and can cause severe side effects such as cataracts, brittle bones and changes in blood sugar. Your doctor will carefully monitor you for any severe side effects from the medication. Immunosuppressants such as methrotrexate may be given separately or in combination with prednisone. This medication stalls or prevents abnormal antibodies from attacking healthy muscle tissue. Supplements have not been scientifically proven to benefit muscle damage, but they may help. Supplements include coenzyme Q10, calcium, potassium and fish oil. Discuss with your doctor any new supplements you add to your diet as some can interfere with medications.

Physical Therapy

• Your doctor will provide you with an exercise program designed to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility. Low impact exercises such as walking, swimming or gardening can increase mobility and muscle range. Strength training exercises can help against muscle atrophy and give you more energy.