MYOSITIS

Myositis is a disease that makes your immune system attack your muscles. It causes chronic inflammation — swelling that comes and goes over a long time. Eventually, this inflammation makes your muscles feel increasingly weak. It can also cause muscle pain.

Myositis is a type of myopathy. Myopathy is a general term that refers to diseases that affect the muscles that connect to your bones (skeletal muscles). Different forms of myositis affect different groups of muscles throughout your body. Myositis usually affects the muscles you use to move, including muscles of:

• Arms and shoulders.
• Legs and hips.
• Abdomen and spine (your trunk).

Other people with myositis experience muscle weakness on or near their:

• Eyes.
• Esophagus.
• Diaphragm.

Experts aren’t certain what causes myositis, and there’s no cure for it.  They’ll also recommend exercises like stretching and physical movements that can help strengthen your affected muscles between episodes of myositis symptoms.

TYPES OF MYOSITIS: -

There are a few different forms of myositis, including:

• Polymyositis.
• Dermatomyositis.
• Inclusion body myositis.
• Polymyositis

Polymyositis affects multiple muscles at the same time. It usually causes symptoms in muscles on or near the center of your body.

Polymyositis develops gradually over time. It typically affects adults. Women and people assigned female at birth are twice as likely to develop polymyositis than men and people assigned male at birth.

If one have polymyositis, you might have trouble performing movements you usually can, including:

• Standing up after sitting.
• Climbing stairs.
• Lifting objects.
• Reaching over your head.
• Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis is a form of myositis that affects your skin in addition to your muscles.

Some cases take months to develop, but dermatomyositis can develop quickly. The sooner one begins treatment, the more likely it is you can avoid having severe complications.

In rare cases, dermatomyositis can be fatal, especially in the first year after symptoms start. It can also increase your risk of developing certain kinds of cancer.

Anyone can experience dermatomyositis. If it affects children, it’s known as juvenile dermatomyositis.

INCLUSION BODY MYOSITIS: - Inclusion body myositis is a degenerative muscle disease. It usually affects people older than 50. Inclusion body myositis causes muscle weakness in your extremities (your hands and your legs below your knees). It can also affect the muscles in of throat that help you swallow. Around 30% of people with inclusion body myositis develop dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).

If one has inclusion body myositis, it might be hard to: Use your hands and fingers to do precise tasks like buttoning a shirt.

Grip something small.

Walk or stand.

Swallow.

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES: -

• Myositis symptoms include:
• Muscle weakness.
• Joint or muscle pain.
• Fatigue.
• Swelling.
• Trouble breathing or swallowing.
• Arrhythmia (if the myositis affects your heart).

During an episode of symptoms, there might be trouble moving or doing certain activities you usually can. One might get tired faster, or feel like you can’t control your arms, hands or legs.

Different types of myositis have different symptoms.

CAUSES OF MYOSITIS:- Experts don’t know for sure what causes myositis. It can occur on its own, but it’s sometimes triggered by other health conditions.

Myositis is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are the result of your immune system accidentally attacking your body instead of protecting it. It’s unclear why your immune system does this. Some people with other autoimmune diseases are more likely to develop myositis, including:

• Lupus.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Scleroderma.
• Some people develop myositis after they have a viral infection, including:
• The common cold.
• Influenza (the flu).
• HIV.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS: - physical exam and tests are performed.  Symptoms are examined and how it feels when one does certain movements or motions is questioned.

Few tests, include:-

• Blood tests.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
• EMG (electromyography).
• A muscle biopsy.

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF MYOSITIS:-

Rhustox:- The main action of the remedy is on inflammatory conditions, skin, rheumatic pains of the body. A beneficial remedy for treatment of sore muscles caused due to lifting heavy weights. Stiffness alongwith sore and painful muscle is present.

Arnica Montana:- Well indicated remedy for injury to the skin or for pain and swelling associated with bruises, aches, and sprains in the muscles. Sore muscles as a result of trauma respond well to this medicine. It is also a good remedy for the sore muscles after previous injuries.

Bryonia alba:- Bryonia has its affinity towards dryness of all mucus membranes of the body, aching in single muscle and the serous membranes of the organs. The slightest motion of the affected part worsens the pain.

Cimicifuga:- Beneficial remedy for sore muscles affecting the central bulge of the large muscles. Excellent remedy for excessive muscle exertion, like dancing or long continuous running etc. Pain in the muscles of neck from overwork like typing is also treated well by this remedy.