Polymyalgia rheumatism & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is polymyalgia rheumatism?

Polymyalgia rheumatism is an inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiff muscles, especially in the shoulders. These rheumatic symptoms usually start quickly, and get worse in the morning.

How common is polymyalgia rheumatism?

Most people with polymyalgia rheumatism are aged 65 years and over. This disease rarely affects people under 50 years. Polymyalgia rheumatism is also more common in women than men.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatism?

Symptoms of this type of rheumatism usually occur on both sides of the body, in the form of:

• Pain in the shoulder (usually this is the first symptom)
• Pain in the neck, upper arms, buttocks, hips, or thighs
• Stiff muscles in certain parts of the body, especially in the morning or after being in the same position for a long time
• Limited range of motion, in that area of ​​the body
• Pain or stiffness in the wrist, elbow, or knee

You may also experience other, more common symptoms, such as:

• Mild fever
• Fatigue
• Unwell
• Reduced appetite
• Unintentional weight loss
• Depression

There may be symptoms not listed above. Consult your doctor for information about other symptoms.

When to see a doctor?

Check with your doctor if you experience muscle pain or stiff muscles that:

• Started recently
• Interferes with sleep
• Make it difficult for you to do daily activities such as getting dressed

Cause

What causes polymyalgia rheumatism?

The cause of polymyalgia rheumatism is unknown. However, certain types of genes and gene variations can increase your risk of developing this type of rheumatism.

Environmental factors can also play a role. There are certain seasons in which more people are being diagnosed with rheumatoid polymyalgia. It is suspected that there is an environmental trigger, such as a viral infection.

Triggers

Who is at risk for polymyalgia rheumatism?

Some of the factors that make you more at risk of developing rheumatism are:

• Age. Polymyalgia rheumatism only affects adults, especially the elderly. The mean age of onset of the disease was 73 years.
• Gender. Women are twice as likely to develop this disease as men.

Diagnosis & treatment

How do doctors diagnose polymyalgia rheumatism?

The symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatism can be similar to those of other inflammatory conditions, including lupus and arthritis. To make a diagnosis, the doctor will need to perform a physical examination and various tests to check for inflammation and blood disorders.

If the physical exam suggests that you have polymyalgia rheumatism, you may need to have a blood test to look for symptoms of inflammation in the body. Your doctor may also order an ultrasound to see if there is inflammation in your joints and tissues.

Because there is a link between polymyalgia rheumatism and temporal arthritis, your doctor may also suggest a biopsy, which is the removal of a small piece of tissue from a blood vessel, for analysis in the lab. However, this biopsy is only needed if the doctor suspects that there is inflammation in the blood vessel.

How to treat polymyalgia rheumatism?

Corticosteroids

Polymyalgia rheumatism is usually treated with low doses of corticosteroids, eg prednisone. Usually the pain or stiff muscles will go away in 2-3 days.

Most patients with polymyalgia rheumatism may need to continue corticosteroid treatment for at least one year, along with regular check-ups to the doctor to check the results and whether you have any side effects.

If you stop treatment prematurely, your illness can return. As many as 30-60 percent of sufferers will experience at least one relapse when they stop taking the drug.

Monitor for side effects

Long-term use of corticosteroids can cause serious side effects, so they should be monitored by a doctor and readjust the dose if necessary.

Some of the side effects that can occur are:

• Gaining weight
• Osteoporosis (bone loss and weakness)
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Cataract

Calcium and vitamin D supplements

Your doctor may prescribe a calcium and vitamin D supplement to take every day to prevent bone loss due to corticosteroid medication. According to The American Academy of Rheumatology, the recommended doses of calcium and vitamin D for patients in the treatment of corticosteroids are:

• 1200-1500 mg calcium supplement
• 800 - 1000 IU of vitamin D supplements

Pneumonia vaccine

If you are prescribed 20 mg of prednisone a day, your doctor may recommend that you get the pneumonia vaccine.

Methotrexate

The American Academy of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism recommend using methotrexate together with corticosteroids for some patients. Methotrexate is an immune system suppressant that can be used if you have a relapse, or if corticosteroid treatment doesn't work.

Physical therapy

If your movements have been disturbed for a long time due to polymyalgia rheumatism, you can take physical therapy to restore muscle strength, coordination of body movements, and the ability to carry out daily activities.

Home care

What can be done to treat polymyalgia rheumatism?

Patients with polymyalgia rheumatism can experience improvement if they undergo treatment accompanied by the following:

• Improve your diet. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats and dairy. Limit salt intake to prevent fluid buildup and hypertension.
• Exercise routine. Consult your doctor, what exercise is right for your condition and can help strengthen bones and muscles.
• Use tools if necessary. You can use the stick to reach high objects if you have trouble reaching. If your balance is disturbed, avoid wearing high heels. Use a walking stick if necessary.

Please consult your doctor for more information.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.