PYOMYOSITIS

Pyomyositis is a rare and treatable bacterial infection that affects skeletal muscles, the muscles which is moved frequently.

Pyomyositis usually results in an abscess (a swollen area that contains pus) that forms in your muscle. The larger muscles in your legs, especially your quadriceps (thigh muscles), are most commonly affected by pyomyositis, but it can occur in other muscles.

CAUSES

Approximately 90% of pyomyositis cases are caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (a common staph infection bacterium).

Most people have Staphylococcus aureus bacteria living on their skin or in their noses. These bacteria only cause problems when they make their way inside your body.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of pyomyositis depend on how far the infection has progressed. There are three general stages of pyomyositis.

Stage one of pyomyositis can last 10 to 21 days. Symptoms include:

• Cramps and aches in the affected muscle.
• Low-grade fever.

In stage two of pyomyositis, the abscess has formed in the muscle. About 90% of people with pyomyositis are diagnosed at this stage. Symptoms include:

• Fever and chills.
• A firm lump under your skin (the muscle abscess).
• Pain and tenderness in the affected muscle.
• Mobility issues, like not being able to walk like you usually do if the affected muscle is in your leg.

If pyomyositis is not treated in stage two, it progresses to stage three. Stage three of pyomyositis is serious and life-threatening. Symptoms and complications of pyomyositis include:

• Extreme pain in the affected area.
• High fever.
• Septic shock.
• Organ damage or failure

RISK FACTOR

Risk factors for developing pyomyositis include:

• Living in a tropical climate: Pyomyositis is more common in tropical countries. Approximately 1% to 4% of hospitalizations in tropical countries are due to pyomyositis.
• Having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): In approximately half of pyomyositis cases in North America, the person has HIV.
• Being immunocompromised: People who have a weakened immune system, whether from a medical condition, an organ transplant or from using an immunosuppressive medication, are more likely to develop pyomyositis.
• Having diabetes: Having high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) from mismanaged diabetes can damage your muscles. People with diabetes may also have weakened immune systems. These two factors make it more likely that someone with diabetes will develop pyomyositis.
• Heavy exercise or muscle trauma: Vigorous exercise or trauma (damage) to your muscle(s) can trigger pyomyositis.
• Skin infections: Skin infections, especially staph infections (infections caused by Staphylococcus bacteria), make it more likely that you could develop pyomyositis because the bacteria could spread deeper inside your body to your muscles.
• Injection drug use: Injecting drugs increases your risk of developing pyomyositis because it can introduce the bacteria that causes pyomyositis into your body.

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy, but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

Few homoeopathic medicine can be thought of in the treatment of pyomyositis are:

Merc sol., hepar sulph., silicea, secale cor., pyrogen, lachesis, calcarea sulph., etc