Myositis: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is myositis?

Myositis is a type of inflammation in the muscles used to move the body. In this condition, inflammation damages the fibers found in the muscles of the body. This causes the muscle to weaken and impair its ability to contract.

Generally, this condition causes muscle pain, muscle tenderness, and weakness in the body. In some cases, this condition is short term and may disappear after a few days or weeks. However, it is not uncommon for some cases where this condition becomes chronic (long term).

Chronic inflammation of the muscles can lead to several health problems, such as muscle atrophy (muscle shrinkage) and even severe disability.

How common is myositis?

Myositis is a very common condition. In certain types, such as polymyositis and dermatomyositis, this disease is more common in female than male patients (ratio 2: 1).

In addition, although this disease can occur in patients of any age, this type of polymyositis is usually found in patients aged 20 years and over, especially those between the ages of 45 and 60 years. This type of muscle inflammation is rarely found in children.

However, this type of dermatomyositis is found in children aged 5-14 years. In the case of type muscle inflammation inclusion body , as many as 80% of patients aged 50 years and over.

This disease can be controlled and overcome by recognizing the existing risk factors. To find out more information about this disease, you can consult your doctor.

Type

What are the types of this disease?

Myositis can be divided into several types. Generally, there are 5 types of inflammation in the muscles. Here's the explanation:

1. Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis is a type of muscle inflammation that is most easily recognized because of its symptoms of a rash that is shaped like a flower and is red to purple in color.

Unlike other types of muscle inflammation, dermatomyositis is more common in children and adolescents.

2. Polymyositis

Polymyositis usually occurs in muscles that are around or closest to the torso. This condition can generally be associated with a problem with the sufferer's immune system.

3. Inclusion-body myositis

Slightly different from other types, this type of muscle inflammation occurs more in male patients than in women. In addition, this type is usually found in patients over 50 years of age.

This disease generally affects the smaller muscles and tends to affect only one side of the body. Although it cannot be confirmed, this type of muscle inflammation is believed to be related to a genetic problem.

4. Juvenile myositis

In this type, the incidence of cases is more common in patients aged 18 years and under. In addition, it is 2 times more likely to occur in girls than boys.

5. Toxic myositis

This type of muscle inflammation is believed to be related to the consumption of certain drugs, as well as the use of illegal drugs such as cocaine.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of myositis?

Common signs and symptoms of myositis are muscle weakness or myalgia. Weaknesses can be noticed or detected by testing. However, not all sufferers of this disease are confirmed to experience muscle weakness.

The most common symptoms of inflammatory muscle conditions include:

• Rash
• Fatigue
• Thickening of the skin of the hands
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing

The following is a further explanation of the symptoms that arise when differentiated by type:

1. Dermatomyositis

In this type of muscle inflammation, sufferers generally have a rash on the eyelids, face, chest, neck and back. In addition, there is also a rash on the knuckles, elbows, knees and toes.

Other symptoms of dermatomyositis include:

• Scaly, rough, and peeling skin
• Lumps on the knuckles, tribes, and knees, which are accompanied by scales
• Difficulty getting up from a sitting position
• Fatigue
• Weak in the neck, waist, back and shoulder muscles
• Difficulty swallowing
• The voice becomes hoarse
• Lumps in the skin, due to hardening of calcium
• Muscle ache
• Arthritis
• Nails look abnormal
• Losing weight
• Irregular heartbeat
• Gastric ulcer

2. Polymyositis

Polymyositis sufferers generally feel the following symptoms:

• Weak muscles
• Muscle ache
• Difficulty swallowing
• Often falls
• It's hard to get up from a sitting position
• Chronic dry cough
• Thickening of the skin on the hands
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing
• Weight loss
• Hoarseness

3. Inclusion-body myositis

If you have this type of muscle inflammation, you may experience:

• Difficulty walking
• Losing balance
• Often falls
• It's hard to get up from a sitting position
• Hands have difficulty grasping
• Muscle pain and weakness
• Reduced muscle reflexes

4. Juvenile

The symptoms shown from this condition are not much different from other types of muscle inflammation, such as:

• Rash on the eyelids or joints
• Fatigue
• Fussy and irritable
• Stomach ache
• Difficulty moving everyday
• Difficulty looking up or raising your head
• Swelling and redness of the skin around the fingernails
• Difficulty swallowing
• Muscle pain and weakness
• Fever

People with this disease that is caused by a virus usually experience symptoms of a viral infection, such as runny nose, fever, cough, sore throat or nausea and diarrhea. However, the symptoms of a viral infection may disappear days or weeks before symptoms appear.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor.

Each sufferer's body shows signs and symptoms that vary. To get the most appropriate treatment and according to your health condition, make sure you always check with your doctor or the nearest medical service center.

Cause

What causes myositis?

This disease is generally caused by any condition that causes inflammation of the muscles. The causes of this disease can be classified into the following categories:

1. An inflammatory condition

Conditions that cause inflammation in the body can affect the muscles. Many of these causes are autoimmune conditions, in which the body attacks its own tissues.

Inflammatory conditions that can potentially cause serious muscle problems include:

• Dermatomyositis
• Polymyositis
• Inclusion body myositis

Other inflammatory conditions tend to cause milder types of muscle inflammation, such as:

• Lupus
• Scleroderma
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Inflammatory conditions are often the most serious causes and require long-term treatment.

2. Infection

Viral infections are the most common infections that cause this disease. Although rare, bacteria, fungi and other organisms can also cause inflammation of the muscles.

Viruses or bacteria can directly invade muscle tissue, or produce substances that damage muscle tissue. Cold and flu viruses, as well as HIV, are some of the viruses that can cause this condition to occur.

3. Medicines

Many drugs can cause temporary muscle damage. Since inflammation of the muscles is often not identified, muscle problems can also be identified as myopathy. Medicines that can cause muscle inflammation or myopathy include:

• Statins
• Colchicine
• Omeprazole (Prilosec)
• Adalimumab (Humira)
• Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)
• Alpha-interferon
• Toluene
• Cocaine
• Alcohol

Myopathy can occur after starting treatment, or after several months or years after treatment. Sometimes the condition is caused by the interaction of 2 different drugs. Severe muscle inflammation caused by medication is rare.

4. Injury

Strenuous exercise can cause pain, swelling or muscle weakness for hours or days after exercise. Symptoms of inflammation of the muscles after sports or injuries are almost always fully recovered after adequate rest and recovery.

5. Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis occurs when a muscle breaks down rapidly. Pain, weakness and swelling of the muscles are symptoms of rhabdomyolysis. The urine can also turn dark brown or red in color.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for myositis?

There are many risk factors for this disease, namely:

1. Age

Although this disease can occur in patients of any age group, it is most prevalent in adults aged 45-60 years.

2. Gender

Except for the type inclusion body , this disease is more common in female patients than in men. Therefore, women have a greater chance than men to get this disease.

3. Genetic disorders

There are several studies showing that polymyositis and dermatomyositis are linked to genetic problems, namely abnormalities in the HLADRB1 * 0301 and DQA1 * 0501 genes.

This condition can be congenital, or a gene mutation occurs at some point in the sufferer's life.

4. Environmental factors

Frequent exposure to UV rays from the sun also increases your risk for suffering from polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

5. Suffering from autoimmune diseases

If you have a disease that disrupts your immune system, such as arthritis or lupus, you have a high enough risk of developing this disease.

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this disease diagnosed?

Doctors can suspect this disease based on the main symptoms of the disease. Tests to diagnose this disease include:

1. Blood test

High levels of muscle enzymes, such as creatine creatine, can mean that there is inflammation of the muscles. Other blood tests look for abnormal antibodies that can identify autoimmune conditions.

2. MRI scan

A scanner that uses high-power magnets and a computer that produces images of the muscles. MRI scans can help identify the affected muscle areas and changes in the muscles over time.

3. EMG

By inserting the electrode needle into the muscle, the doctor can test the muscle's response to electrical nerve signals. An EMG can identify muscles that are weak or damaged by inflammation.

4. Muscle biopsy

This is the most accurate test for diagnosing this disease. The doctor identifies the weak muscle, makes a small incision and removes a small sample of muscle tissue for testing.

How is myositis treated?

Treatment for muscle inflammation varies depending on the cause.

Inflammatory conditions that cause this disease require treatment with drugs that suppress the immune system, such as:

• Prednisone
• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• Methotrexate

Inflammation of the muscles caused by infection is usually viral and no specific treatment is required. Inflammation of muscles caused by bacteria is rare and usually requires antibiotics to prevent this dangerous condition from spreading.

Although rhabdomyolysis is rarely caused by inflammation of the muscles, it can cause permanent kidney damage. People with rhabdomyolysis require hospitalization for large amounts of intravenous lines.

Drug-related inflammation of the muscles can be relieved by stopping medication. In cases caused by statin drugs, muscle inflammation will usually improve within a few weeks of stopping treatment.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat myositis?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with muscle inflammation:

Exercise is an important part of the treatment for muscle inflammation. It's important to keep your muscles strong and flexible. Physical therapy can help prevent muscle atrophy and restore muscle strength and movement. Your doctor may also suggest supplements that help support muscle strength.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.