All about polymyositis  causes of polymyositis symptoms of polymyositis diagnosis of polymyositis treatment for polymyositis |
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What are symptoms of polymyositis?
In polymyositis, the symptoms are similar for people of all ages, but the disorder usually develops more abruptly in children than in adults. Symptoms, which may begin during or just after an infection, include symmetrical muscle weakness (particularly in the upper arms, hips, and thighs), joint pain (but often little muscle pain), difficulty in swallowing, fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Muscle weakness may appear suddenly or occur slowly over weeks or months. There may be difficulty raising the arms over the head, rising from a sitting position, or climbing stairs. The voice may be affected through weakness of the throat muscles. Joint pain, inflammation of the heart, and lung disease may occur. A similar condition, called dermatomyositis, is evident when a dusky, red rash appears over the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, and back. A malignancy may be associated with this disorder. Each year, between 2 and 10 people per million develop the disease. |
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More information on polymyositis
What is polymyositis? - Polymyositis is a systemic connective tissue disorder characterized by inflammatory and degenerative changes in the muscles.
What causes polymyositis? - The cause of polymyositis is unknown. An autoimmune reaction or a viral infection of the skeletal muscle may cause polymyositis.
What're symptoms of polymyositis? - Symptoms of polymyositis are symmetrical muscle weakness, difficulty in swallowing, fever, fatigue, and weight loss.
How is polymyositis diagnosed? - The first step in the diagnosis of polymyositis is obtaining a history and physical examination compatible with the picture usually seen in this entity.
What's the treatment for polymyositis? - Polymyositis disease is treated with corticosteroid medications. Prednisone therapy usually leads to improvement within two or three months. |
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