Polymyositis – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Polymyositis is a rare inflammatory condition causing symmetric muscle weakness throughout the body. This condition makes everyday movements difficult, such as climbing stairs, standing up from chairs, lifting objects, or raising arms overhead.
The disease typically affects adults between 30 and 50 years old, with women experiencing it more frequently than men. Symptoms don’t appear suddenlyโthey develop slowly over several weeks or months.
While polymyositis cannot be cured, various treatment options exist to help manage the condition. These include:
- Medication therapy
- Physical therapy
- Exercise programs
- Lifestyle modifications
With proper treatment, many patients see improvements in muscle strength and overall function.
Signs and Symptoms
Polymyositis causes muscle weakness mainly in the muscles closest to the center of the body. You might notice weakness in your:
- Hips and thighs
- Shoulders and upper arms
- Neck muscles
This weakness affects both sides of the body and tends to develop gradually over weeks or months. As the condition progresses, additional signs and symptoms may include:
- Difficulty rising from a seated position or climbing stairs
- Trouble lifting objects or reaching overhead
- Persistent fatigue
- Muscle aches or tenderness
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- Shortness of breath (if respiratory muscles or lungs are involved)
- Low-grade fever
- Unintentional weight loss
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Dry cough or breathing difficulties (potential sign of interstitial lung disease)
When Medical Help Is Needed
If you notice muscle weakness that has no clear cause, it’s important to contact a healthcare provider. Don’t wait for the weakness to become severe before seeking medical attention.
Causes
The exact trigger for polymyositis remains unknown. However, this condition has many similarities with autoimmune disorders. In these disorders, the body’s immune system incorrectly attacks its own tissues instead of protecting them.
Risk Factors
People with certain health conditions face a higher chance of developing polymyositis. These conditions include:
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Sjogren’s syndrome
Having any of these autoimmune disorders increases your risk for this muscle inflammation condition.
Health Issues that May Arise
Polymyositis can lead to several health problems if not treated properly. These complications can affect daily life and may require extra medical care.
Some people with polymyositis have trouble swallowing food. This problem happens when the muscles in the throat become weak. When swallowing is hard, you might lose weight or not get enough nutrition.
Another concern is breathing food or liquids into your lungs. This can cause a lung infection called aspiration pneumonia. Even saliva can go down the wrong way when throat muscles aren’t working right.
If polymyositis affects the muscles around your chest, breathing may become difficult. You might feel short of breath. In serious cases, the lungs may not work well enough to keep you alive without help.
Conditions Often Seen Together
People with polymyositis often have other health issues at the same time. These aren’t direct complications but can make things more challenging.
Raynaud’s phenomenon is common. In cold temperatures, fingers, toes, and parts of the face turn pale because blood vessels narrow too much.
Other joint and tissue diseases may occur alongside polymyositis:
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Sjogren’s syndrome
Heart problems can develop when polymyositis inflammation affects heart muscle. Some patients may experience:
- Heart muscle inflammation
- Heart failure
- Irregular heartbeats
Lung issues sometimes appear with polymyositis. Interstitial lung disease causes scarring in lung tissue, making it stiff and hard to breathe. Signs include:
- Dry cough
- Feeling short of breath
Cancer risk is higher in people who have polymyositis. Regular cancer screenings are important for early detection.
People with polymyositis should work closely with their healthcare team to watch for these related conditions. Early treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent problems from getting worse.
