All about polymyositis  causes of polymyositis symptoms of polymyositis diagnosis of polymyositis treatment for polymyositis |
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What is polymyositis?
Polymyositis is a systemic connective tissue disorder characterized by inflammatory and degenerative changes in the muscles, leading to symmetric weakness and some degree of muscle atrophy. The areas principally affected are the hip, shoulders, arms, pharynx and neck. It is one of several types of inflammatory muscle disease, or myopathy. Others include dermatomyositis (DM) and inclusion body myositis. All three types are progressive conditions, usually beginning in adulthood. A fourth type, juvenile dermatomyositis, occurs in children. Although PM and DM can occur at any age, 60% of cases appear between the ages of 30 and 60. Females are affected twice as often as males. Polymyositis is slightly more common in females. It affects all age groups, although its onset is most common in middle childhood and in the twenties. Polymyositis occurs throughout the world. Polymyositis can be associated with skin rash and is then referred to as "dermatomyositis." It also can affect other areas of the body and is, therefore, a systemic illness. |
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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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