Polymyositis

What is it?

A condition where one has inflamed (hot, red, swollen) muscles causing weakness in muscles which happens over days, weeks or months.

It is found mostly in people over the age of 20 and affects more women than men and symptoms can vary with each individual.
The weakness (and at times muscle pain) begins with muscles that are closest to and within the trunk of the body i.e. Neck, shoulder, hip, back and stomach muscle (days, weeks to months later).
Some patients also have weakness in muscles further from the trunk, like hands and fingers as well as patients experience muscle pain, breathing problems and/or trouble swallowing.

Diagnosis Tests

Please follow the following link to help to diagnose this condition 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria

Cause

Unknown
An autoimmune disease occurs when your body’s disease-fighting cells called antibodies, attack your healthy cells in this case you blood vessels and muscles.
Infection
Weak immune system

Source: Pinterest

Symptoms

Rash which is patchy, dusky, itchy and reddish or purple?
Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
Difficulty from getting up form a seated position, or getting up after a fall?
Difficulty chewing swallowing, talking, slurred speech?
Dry and/or scaly and/or rough skin?
Thickening of the skin on the hands?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have and/or develop:

Rhabdomyolysis (Crush syndrome)

This condition can lead to:

Difficulty swallowing. If the muscles in your oesophagus are affected, you may have problems swallowing (dysphagia), which in turn may cause weight loss and malnutrition.
Aspirated pneumonia
Polymayalgia Rheumatica
Breathing problems/shortness of breath/cough – Interstitial lung disease (inflammation occurs in the lung tissue)
Calcium deposits
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction
Raynaud disease

Pregnancy

This condition may worsen during pregnancy in women whose disease is active increasing the risk of premature birth or stillbirth.

Overlap with other conditions

This condition can overlap with other conditions:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Antisynthetase syndrome
Inclusion body myositis
Parsonage-Turner syndrome (Brachial plexus neuritis-is an uncommon neurological disorder characterised by rapid onset of severe pain in the shoulder and arm)
Rheumatoid arthritis
Scleroderma
Systemic lupus erythematosus

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Polymyositis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

Medical News Today
Medical news and health news headlines posted throughout the day, every day.
Medscape (Professional level)
Latest medical news and expert commentary in your specialty as well as disease information.
Healthline
Medical Information and health advice you can trust
EveryDay Health
Wellness inspired. Wellness enabled.
Pharmaceutical Journal (Professional level)
The Pharmaceutical Journal covers analysis, features, opinion, learning and careers articles, providing insight and knowledge about drugs, pharmacy practice, medicines use and healthcare policy in the context of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical science.
NHS
Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).
WebMD
Better Information. Better Health.
Cleveland Clinic
Pushing the Standards of care.
Mayo Clinic
No.1 Hospital in the Nation (America)
Drugs.com
Know more. Be sure.
National Organisation of Rare Diseases
NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.
Verywell Health
Know more. Fell better.
Nathnac
Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.
DR Axe
Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies
Better health - NHS
Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, drink less alcohol, get active or quit smoking, you have access to lots of free tools and support through Better Health. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters.

There has never been a better time to kickstart your health. Let’s do this!