Detailed Information on Myositis

 Myositis is inflammation of your skeletal muscles, which are also called the deliberate muscles. These are the muscles you consciously control that help you move your body. Myositis is estimated 5 to 10 people out of every million in the United States get some form of Myositis. Although Myositis affects people of any age, most children who get the disease are between 5 and 15 years of age and most adults are between 30 and 60. Most forms of Myositis attack more women than men.

Weakness and pain in the muscles of the hips and shoulders is often a first sign of myositis. Myositis can assume the muscles in the front of the neck and throat, making it hard to speak or swallow. Severity of symptoms varies from person to person. People with a certain form of myositis may also develop a rash on the face, knuckles and other parts of the body. Other possible symptoms include fever and joint pain and swelling. Injury, certain medicines and even exercise can cause muscle swelling.  Children are more likely than adults to develop a condition called calcinosis in which small lumps of calcium are deposited in the skin and muscle fibers.

There is no cure for myositis, prompt and aggressive treatment to reduce inflammation of Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis can help prevent muscle weakness from progressing and might aid renovate some of your strength. The most effective drugs in treating myositis are corticosteriods. Corticosteroids and other drugs that suppress the immune system (immunosuppresants) may slow down the attack on healthy tissue and improve skin rash.  As many as 90 percent of patients improve at least partially with corticosteroid therapy, and 50 to75 percent of those patients achieve complete remission.

Benznidazole is a trypanocidal drug that is quite effective in the acute phase of the illness. Immunosuppressants are drugs, which can suppress the body’s immune system. These drugs are used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as myositis. Antiviral agents such as amantadine could be considered in adults. A physical therapy or exercise program is an important part of treating myositis and can help improve muscle strength. Gamma globulin has been shown to be effective and safe when other treatments are not effective. Prevention is better than cure. Getting enough rest is an important component of managing myositis.