Many people who develop polymyositis complain of shortness of breath and find it difficult to carry on normal daily activities, such as climbing stairs or rising from a chair. Polymyositis occurs when the muscles become inflamed. Polymyositis not only saps you of energy, but leaves you feeling weak, with tender joints and other symptoms.
Polymyositis
Polymyositis affects skeletal muscles on both sides of the body, usually affected adults between 31 and 60 years old. People with polymyositis may also experience arthritis, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing and speaking and heart arrhythmias. Treatment options include medication, exercise, heat therapy, physical therapy, orthotics and assistive devices and rest.
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Polymyositis is diagnosed with a thorough history and physical examination. Clinical suspicion is then corroborated with laboratory examination including creatine kinase (CK) and acute phase reactant levels. Additional diagnostic testing with electromyography (EMG) and MRI can be performed. Finally muscle biopsy is used for confirmation.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 2 AnswersScientists are studying various new approaches to treating polymyositis. For example, ongoing clinical trials are testing whether people with polymyositis benefit from the drug rituximab, which is usually used in treating cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers also know that a glitch in the way certain genes behave is associated with this disease. Developing medications that correct this problem could treat polymyositis.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredPolymyositis may cause you to develop difficulty speaking. Polymyositis is a general term for a group of diseases that cause muscles to become inflamed. The main symptom of polymyositis is muscle weakness. The act of speaking requires coordinated muscle movement, so this condition may make it difficult to communicate clearly.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredPolymyositis may cause you to develop difficulty swallowing. Polymyositis is a general term for a group of diseases that cause muscles to become inflamed. The main symptom of polymyositis is muscle weakness. Swallowing food requires coordinated muscle movement, so this condition may make it difficult to eat. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop this problem, which is known as dysphagia.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 2 AnswersOne complication of polymyositis is a potentially serious heart condition known as an arrhythmia. When you develop an arrhythmia, your heartbeat becomes irregular. It may beat too fast or too slow, or it may simply beat erratically. Arrhythmias can trigger heart attacks, so tell a doctor if you develop muscle weakness, have heart palpitations, or develop any other unusual symptoms.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 2 AnswersPeople with polymyositis often develop the common joint condition known as arthritis. Polymyositis is a disease that produces inflammation in the muscles. The most obvious symptom is muscle weakness. However, inflammation is also known to cause joints to become swollen and painful, the main symptoms of arthritis. Your doctor can prescribe corticosteroids or other drugs to help control inflammation and reduce your symptoms.