Polymyositis

The Polymyositis is a clinical picture that does not occur too often. According to statistical surveys, around 80 out of 100,000 people suffer from this disease. About twice or three times as many patients are affected among women as is the case with men.

What is polymyositis?

General symptoms such as irritability and malaise occur more frequently and increase in intensity in the course of the first few weeks of the disease. A sore muscles in the affected muscles is also characteristic of polymyositis.
© nerthuz - stock.adobe.com To the Polymyositis To define it, it is advantageous to consider the individual components of the term. Under the word part Poly- is the name many, many Roger that. The myo part names the muscle.

The Greek ending -itis always indicates an inflammatory process. Polymyositis is an inflammation that affects various muscles in the body. In medicine, polymyositis is categorized as what is known as collagenosis. In this context, polymyositis is one of the rheumatic diseases that are characterized by a chronic course.

In polymyositis, the muscle fibers and connective tissue are primarily affected by inflammatory impairments. Polymyositis runs in attacks in most people, so that acute symptoms can also appear.

causes

In finding the causal trigger for the Polymyositis it has not yet been possible to clearly determine this. It is assumed that polymositis as an autoimmune disease is promoted by the destruction of muscle cells by the body's own immune system.

In principle, hereditary causes are not among the factors that lead to polymyositis. In the case of polymyositis, special viruses or existing diseases from the chronic rheumatic or collagenous circle can also be the cause.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

Polymyositis manifests itself at the beginning by rather unspecific symptoms. Those affected initially feel tired and exhausted and are less productive overall. The inflammatory disease ultimately also causes fever and chills. At the same time, there are sweats, high blood pressure and loss of appetite, each associated with other complaints and complications.

General symptoms such as irritability and malaise occur more frequently and increase in intensity in the course of the first few weeks of the disease. A sore muscles in the affected muscles is also characteristic of polymyositis. These complaints mainly occur in the arms and legs and regardless of physical strain. However, pain or tension can also arise when moving.

If the neck muscles are involved, movement disorders can also occur in the head area. The chronic form of muscle inflammation occasionally proceeds without noticeable muscle pain. Only in the later stages can the disease be diagnosed using clear symptoms. If the lungs or larynx are involved, this leads to shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing and the typical lump in the throat.

The pathogens can spread to surrounding regions and, in the worst case, even to the heart. In addition, muscle wasting and weight loss are noticeable. If left untreated, muscle inflammation can lead to organ failure and thereby death of the patient.

Diagnosis & course

The clinical course of a Polymyositis is characterized by painful abnormalities that are similar to sore muscles. Patients who suffer from polymyositis also show symptoms such as exhaustion and weakness, a decrease in muscle mass and usually what is known as dermatomyositis.

As a classic concomitant disease of polymyositis, this is usually associated with the accumulation of water in the skin as well as erythema (dark red to purple-colored skin discoloration), papules and skin erosions. In the acute course, polymyositis can lead to a loss of function of the lung muscles, shock and even fatal outcome. Clearly increased values ​​result in polymyositis when determining creatine kinase, an enzyme that is required for the breakdown of muscle protein.

When diagnosing polymyositis, it is important to strive for laboratory values ​​with regard to the determination of the body's own antibodies, quantitative testing of so-called muscle enzymes and special muscle proteins. In addition, in the differential diagnosis of polymyositis, it is important to record the patient's complaints precisely and to carry out a visual assessment.

The Raynaud phenomena, which can be observed primarily on the hands, are among the central points that are of enormous relevance in the diagnosis of polymyositis. Electromyography is recommended as a further diagnostic method for polymyositis.

Complications

Polymyositis is characterized by a number of different complaints in the patient. As a rule, those affected suffer from permanent muscle soreness and muscle weakness. As a result, strenuous physical activities and certain sports are no longer easily possible for the person concerned. Fever and joint pain are also not uncommon and continue to reduce the quality of life of those affected enormously.

Patients may also have difficulty swallowing, which may make it difficult to take food. This can lead to weight loss or various deficiency symptoms. The skin can also be affected by this disease, causing patients to experience redness or flaky skin. In some cases this can lead to inferiority complexes or to depression and other psychological disorders.

As a rule, the patients are ashamed of these symptoms. Treatment of polymyositis is carried out with the help of drugs. As a rule, there are no further complications or other complaints. Most of the time, however, the patients are dependent on lengthy therapy. The life expectancy of those affected is usually not affected by this disease.

When should you go to the doctor?

If the general performance decreases steadily over a period of several weeks or months, a check-up visit should be made to a doctor. Fatigue, increased tiredness or a loss of vital energy are warning signs of the organism and should be clarified. In the case of inflammatory processes, sweating or a decrease in the usual resilience, a doctor's visit is necessary. Heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure and flu-like symptoms such as chills or fever should be presented to a doctor.

Difficulty breathing, interruptions in the act of swallowing or impaired muscle strength are signs of a health problem. If the irregularities persist or if they increase in intensity, a doctor's visit is recommended. Tension in the neck, internal irritation, a diffuse feeling of illness and general malaise must be examined and treated. If muscle wasting is observed, a doctor should be consulted immediately. In the event of a loss of weight, malfunctions and pain, action is required.

Since polymyositis can lead to the premature death of the person affected if left untreated, a doctor should be visited as soon as the first irregularities or abnormalities appear. If there is acute shortness of breath or loss of consciousness, an ambulance service is required. At the same time, first aid techniques are to be provided by those present so that the person concerned can survive until the emergency doctor arrives.

Treatment & Therapy

As part of the therapy of the PolymyositisDoctors and patients rely on the use of particularly high-quality medicinal substances. In this regard, the focus of drug treatment is on the high doses of steroid drugs that are prescribed to inhibit inflammatory attacks.

In combination with these steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone, the active ingredients known as immunosuppressants are also taken against polymyositis. If those affected do not respond to these medications and the breakdown of the muscles continues, the infusion-supported administration of immunoglobulins (special proteins) has proven itself.

This also helps reduce the other doses of the medication. This is particularly beneficial in view of the very unpleasant side effects of prednisone in polmyositis.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for muscle weakness

prevention

There is against that Polymyositis no effective prophylaxis. Since an autoimmune disease, such as polymyositis, is based on the body's own factors that have not yet been precisely identified, there is no influence on these processes.

The effectiveness of targeted protection against the usual pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or parasites cannot be proven with regard to the development of polymyositis. For this reason, it is not possible to take meaningful preventive measures against polymyositis.

Aftercare

Inflammation of the skeletal muscles is always associated with the sensation of pain. The internal organs can also be affected. Polymyositis heals completely with appropriate therapy. If the course is severe, it can have a fatal outcome. The inflammatory process promotes immune diseases, malignant tumors and arthritis. Follow-up care is required because of these risks.

The symptoms are similar to those of muscle wasting (dystrophy). A differential diagnosis reveals the real cause. The therapy against polymyositis is very complex. The average treatment time is five years. The inflammation is treated immunosuppressively. The specialist checks the patient's condition, as the drugs are associated with severe side effects.

Painkillers alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life of those affected. Even after a treatment has been completed, many patients suffer from muscle weakness. It cannot be reversed; preventive measures against further damage are sensible. Physiotherapy exercises are recommended as aftercare.

They must be done regularly in order for long-term success to be achieved. Mobility is maintained and further muscle damage is prevented. The patient is informed by the specialist about how to deal with muscle weakness appropriately. In the event of rapid deterioration, treatment must be restarted immediately.

You can do that yourself

In the case of polymyositis, medical treatment must first take place. Depending on how severe the inflammation is, the patient can take various measures to support therapy.

It is important to change your diet. Polymyositis patients should not consume foods that are inflammatory, such as spicy foods, coffee, or alcohol. In addition, you should drink enough water and supplement the diet with food supplements if necessary. It is best for those affected to talk to a nutritionist about an appropriate diet. In addition, care should be taken because the muscles are usually very sensitive to pain and weakened. Special pressure bandages and pads with soothing drugs can reduce the pain.

If the symptoms get worse, it is best to inform the doctor. During the treatment, the symptoms should be observed and any side effects and interactions of the treatment should be noted. In case of doubt you should consult the responsible doctor. However, polymyositis can be treated well if it is detected early. Therefore, an important self-help measure is to identify inflammation and have it examined. Sport and a conscious lifestyle help identify possible illnesses at an early stage.