Polymyositis treatment options and prevention methods

Polymyositis is a disease that causes the skeletal muscles—the muscles that enable your bodily movements—to become irritated and inflamed. The muscles eventually start to fragment and weaken, making even simple movements difficult and painful.

The disease starts slowly, and if untreated, gradually affects the various muscles of the human body making them weaker and weaker and causing increasing muscle pain.

There is no known way to prevent this condition as the exact cause is still unknown. In other words, there is nothing that you can do to prevent developing polymyositis. Medical research has not yet advanced to a stage to identify preventive measures to avoid contracting this disease

In most cases, the muscles that are situated closest to the center of the human body - known as proximal muscles - are affected first by polymyositis.

The most prominent symptoms of polymyositis are:

1) Muscle and joint stiffness and pain

2) Weakening of muscles-mostly muscles in the abdominal area, upper arms, shoulders and hips

3) Respiratory disorders

4) Difficulty in swallowing

5) Irregular heart beat and cardiac function may occur if the heart muscle gets inflamed

6) General weakness and lethargy

7) Gradual weight loss

8) Fatigue after even simple physical movements

As the disease progresses and affects the entire body, there will be increased pain and gradual weakness of the wrists and ankles. Weight loss and malnutrition could occur as the patient will avoid food due to difficulty in eating and swallowing.

If you notice difficulty in muscle movements, you should immediately consult your doctor for proper diagnosis. If you experience difficulty breathing you may need emergency medical attention.