Polymyositis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Polymyositis Definition
Polymyositis occurs when the muscles become inflamed. This inflammation can occur in any muscle and can invade the surrounding tissue as well, including the blood vessels around the affected muscle. As a result, the muscles become weak and difficult to move.
Polymyositis Symptoms
Some of the symptoms experienced in polymyositis include:
- Muscle pain and stiffness
- Muscle weakness, especially in the abdomen, shoulders, upper arms and pelvis
- joint stiffness
- Hard to breathe
- Difficulty swallowing
- Irregular heart rhythm when inflammation also occurs in the heart muscle
Polymyositis Reason
So far, the exact cause of polymyositis is unknown. However, there are several things that can increase a person suffering from this disease, namely age 31-60 years and the presence of viral or autoimmune infections that precede it.
In some cases, a history of using allergic drugs can also trigger polymyositis.
Polymyositis Diagnosis
The diagnosis of polymyositis was determined on the basis of medical interviews and physical examination. During the medical interview, there were complaints of weak and difficult-to-move muscles. A physical examination will confirm the muscle weakness and assess how severe the weakness is.
In addition to medical interviews and physical examinations, supporting examinations are also needed in the form of:
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Blood test
On blood tests will be evaluated for signs of inflammation and the presence of abnormal proteins, as a sign of autoimmune disease.
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Electromyogram (EMG)
To evaluate abnormal electrical conduction activity in muscles.
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI is used to see how extensive the inflammation is.
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Muscle biopsy
A muscle biopsy is done by examining a small amount of muscle tissue under a microscope.
Polymyositis Treatment
Polymyositis is treated with various therapeutic modalities, including therapy with drugs, physiotherapy, and immunoglobulin infusions.
Drugs that are often used to treat polymyositis are:
- Corticosteroids
- Corticosteroid combination drugs such as atropine and methotrexate
- Rituximab. This drug is used when polymyositis is not treated well with standard treatment
Physiotherapy and speech therapy are carried out based on the needs of each patient. In patients with swallowing disorders, consultation to regulate the type of food is also needed. The goal is that the nutritional needs of sufferers are still met properly.
Immunoglobulin infusion (IVIg) can also be used as a therapeutic modality for polymyositis patients. Immunoglobulin is the part of the blood that has gone through the filtering process of thousands of donors and contains healthy immune cells. These cells are expected to block the work of abnormal antibodies that trigger muscle inflammation.
Polymyositis Complications
Some of the complications that may occur in cases of polymyositis are:
- Difficulty swallowing due to weakness of the esophageal muscles
- Pneumonia due to aspiration while drinking or eating
- Shortness of breath to respiratory failure
Polymyositis Prevention
Because the exact cause is unknown, there are no specific preventive measures to avoid this disease. In drug-induced polymyositis, discontinuation and adjustment of the type of drug can be done under the supervision of a doctor.