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Myopathy
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Myopathy refers to having a muscle disease. It usually is accompanied by pain in the muscular areas and by weakness in the muscle. If the myopathy is due to inflammation, it is called myositis. There many causes of myopathy and it is up to the doctor to determine the exact cause of the myopathy. The three main varieties of chronic myositis include polymyositis, dermatomyositis and inclusion body muscle disease.
The main causes of a myopathy include inflammation from an allergic reaction to a medication or because of toxic exposures, cancers or rheumatic diseases, viruses or other infectious causes. Some chronic myopathies are considered to be idiopathic and have no known cause. These are believed to be autoimmune disorders, when the body fights off portions of its own cells. Blood vessels, connective tissue fibers and muscle fibers can all be the victim of an autoimmune attack. Even bone and joint material can be attacked by the immune system.
Myopathy and the diseases that are behind them can affect both children and adults. In children, dermatomyositis is a common cause of myopathy. Both polymyositis and dermatomyositis are more common in women than in men. Inclusion body myositis is most common in individuals over the age of 50.
There are several signs and symptoms in myopathy and some depend on the type of myopathy that is present. Most result in slow and progressive muscle weakness, starting in the most proximal muscles and working out from the center of the body. Other symptoms include damage to muscle fibers or to the blood vessels that run through the muscle. You can be very fatigued after walking and can easily trip or fall, which causes more fatigue. Swallowing and breathing problems can occur with myositis. The muscles can be sore and painful to the touch.
Polymyositis is an inflammatory condition that affects the skeletal muscles. It is usually found in adults and most cases occur in those who are between 30 and 60. There can be difficulty speaking, swallowing, climbing stairs, getting up from a chair or reaching overhead. Shortness of breath and arthritis are possible.
In dermatomyositis, there is a skin rash that accompanies or precedes the development of muscle weakness. The rash involves the eyelids, muscles, joints, knuckles, toes, knees and elbows. It is a purplish red rash and can be associated with swelling. The individual may have fever, inflammation in the lungs and sensitivity to light. It is associated with tumors which can develop in the female genitals, bowel, breast and lung. Calcium deposits can occur beneath the skin-a condition called calcinosis. It is more common in childhood dermatomyositis rather than the adult form of the disease.
In inclusion body myositis, there is progressive weakness of the muscles and muscle wasting. It affects distal and proximal muscles the same. It can affect only a single side of the body. Patients with this disease have frequent trips and falls. There are problems swallowing in about half of all patients with the disease. It occurs with the same frequency in males as in females.
Juvenile myositis is a condition affecting kids between the age of 2 and 15 years. There is proximal weakness of the muscles, swelling of the body (edema), tiredness, rashes, fever and abdominal pain. There can be contractions or shortening of ligaments that interfere with movement. Breathing and swallowing problems can occur and many of these kids develop calcinosis.
The condition is diagnosed by the physical examination and a blood test showing an elevated CPK, which is a muscle enzyme. An MRI can show the abnormal muscle and a biopsy of the muscle can show changes or damage to the muscle. In dermatomyositis, a skin biopsy can show the condition.
This disease is not curable but can be treated through physical therapy, exercise, heat therapy, orthotics and medication. If the exposure is due to a toxic substance, the person must be kept away from the toxic agent. If medications cause the myopathy, the medication must be blocked. High dose corticosteroid treatment is often recommended to ease the inflammation at the root of the condition. Sometimes immunosuppressant drugs such as methotrexate are used to control the disease.