Myositis symptoms

Overview Dermatomyositis (dur-muh-toe-my-uh-SY-tis) is an uncommon inflammatory disease marked by muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash. The condition can affect adults and children. In adults, dermatomyositis usually occurs in the late 40s to early 60s. In children, it most often appears between 5 and 15 years of age. Dermatomyositis affects more females than males. Symptoms The signs and symptoms of dermatomyositis can appear suddenly or develop gradually over time. The most common signs and symptoms include: • Skin changes. A violet-colored or dusky red rash develops, most commonly on your face and eyelids and on your knuckles, elbows, knees, chest and back. The rash, which can be itchy and painful, is often the first sign of dermatomyositis. • Muscle weakness. Progressive muscle weakness involves the muscles closest to the trunk, such as those in your hips, thighs, shoulders, upper arms and neck. The weakness affects both the left and right sides of your body, and tends to gradually worsen. When to see a doctor Seek medical attention if you develop muscle weakness or an unexplained rash. Causes The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown, but the disease has much in common with autoimmune disorders, in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body tissues. Genetic and environmental factors also might play a role. Environmental factors could include viral infections, sun exposure, certain medications and smoking. Complications Possible complications of dermato...

People with inflammatory muscle diseases are seen in the Inflammatory Myositis Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in collaboration with colleagues at the Arizona and Florida campuses. The major muscle diseases that are diagnosed and treated include adult and juvenile dermatomyositis, polymyositis, necrotizing autoimmune myopathy (immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy) and inclusion body myositis. These diseases cause muscle inflammation and damage, or both, that may be treatable. As these disorders may involve multiple organ systems, such as the skin and lungs, Mayo Clinic often involves other specialists during an evaluation. Depending on your specific needs, your evaluation may include neurologists, pulmonologists, dermatologists, physical medicine rehabilitation specialists, occupational therapists and physical therapists. To help people further, experts in the Inflammatory Myositis Clinic vigorously pursue clinical research into the causes and treatment of inflammatory myositis in collaboration with other researchers at Mayo Clinic, nationally and internationally. The clinic is a center for major treatment trials involving people with myositis, which gives patients access to the most cutting-edge treatments, depending on their conditions.

Myositis The literal translation of myositis is "muscle inflammation." This inflammation is caused by white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are normally supposed to protect the body's immune system. In inflammatory myopathies such as myositis, however, lymphocytes infiltrate healthy muscle fibers as well as foreign invaders. After a period of inflammation, muscle fibers are destroyed, which affects the functionality of muscle tissue and leads to fatigue and immobility. Treatment of myositis can include anti-inflammatory Myositis can be a frustrating, mysterious disease, but there are many treatments and social services available to those who live with this oft-misunderstood condition. Hospital for Special Surgery provides many resources for those who suffer with myositis, including our world-class U.S.News & World Report) and our Myositis Education and Support Program, which has been an invaluable source to those attending the group in New York City. The myositis Web community at large can also access the summaries of Hospital for Special Surgery Myositis Support Group sessions on HSS.edu, all of which are listed below.

The inflammatory muscle disorders are a group of rare diseases marked primarily by muscle inflammation and weakness. In general, muscle inflammation is referred to as “myositis,” regardless of the cause – however, myositis is frequently used as shorthand to refer to common causes of inflammatory muscle disorders or idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Types of myositis Different forms of myositis include: • Polymyositis • Dermatomyositis • Inclusion Body Myositis • Autoimmune Necrotizing Myopathy Causes of myositis The white blood cells of the immune system generally protect us from things in the environment, like bacteria and viruses. In myositis, the immune system mistakenly injures muscle tissue, causing muscle weakness and other related conditions. It is not clear why these conditions develop, or what sets it off for most people, though there are clues in some cases. While there is no cure for myositis, there are a variety of treatments that can help patients manage their symptoms successfully. Symptoms of myositis The most common symptom of myositis is muscle weakness. The weakness often develops slowly, and can be subtle at first. The symptoms of weakness depend on the group of muscles affected – most often, myositis affects the muscles closest to the trunk, at the shoulders and hips. The weakness in myositis is generally not associated with pain, but some muscle pain can be seen in about a third of patients. It can be hard to distinguish fatigue from weakness, ...