Understanding Myositis and What Triggers it?

Myositis Disease: Common causes, Key Signs and Risk Factor

Myositis is an array of diseases that cause muscle inflammation, but sometimes, the term is also used to describe muscle inflammation itself. Inflammation is more likely to be caused by infection, injury, drugs, and autoimmune diseases.

Although, as of now, there is no cure, doctors generally use various treatments to alleviate symptoms. Keep reading to learn about the symptoms of myositis, its triggers, and treatment methods.

What is Myositis?

Myositis is an autoimmune disorder which makes your immune system to attack your muscles. It leads to chronic inflammation-swelling that comes and go after a prolonged time. Ultimately, this chronic inflammation result into increasingly weakening of your muscles, causing muscles pain.

Myositis is a kind of myopathy. Myopathy is term that defines a disease that affect the muscles that connect to your bones (skeletal muscles). Different form of myositis impact different form of muscles throughout your body. Myositis generally impact your muscles you use to move, including muscles present in your:

• Shoulders and arms
• Hips and Legs
• Spine (Trunk) and Abdomen

In some cases, people may face muscle weakness on or near by their:

• Eyes
• Diaphragm
• Esophagus

What are the Types of Myositis?

There are few different forms of myositis, including:

• Dermatomyositis
• Inclusion body myositis
• Polymyositis

What are the Symptoms of Myositis?

Symptoms of myositis are:

• Muscle weakness
• Muscle or joint pain
• Fatigue
• Swelling
• Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
• Arrhythmia (if you have myositis in your heart)
• Night Sweating
• Weight Loss
• Generally feeling unwell

When you have an episode of symptoms, you may have trouble moving or doing certain things that you usually are able to do. You may tire more quickly or feel like you can't move your arms, hands, or legs.

Since myositis comes in various forms, the symptoms can vary. Your healthcare provider will explain what to expect and which specific symptoms are likely to affect you.

What Causes Myositis? 

Doctors aren't sure entirely why myositis occurs, but they believe that it is caused by infection, trauma, autoimmune disease, or medication side effects. While there is no cure, specific measures can help ease the symptoms. The most effective treatment for myositis depends on the underlying triggers of the condition.

It can occur by its own, however its sometimes triggered by other health issues. Myositis is an autoimmune disorder are caused by your immune system accidentally attacking your body instead of protecting it. Till now, it is not sure why immune system does this. People who have another autoimmune disorder are prone to get myositis, including:

• Scleroderma
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Lupus

In some cases, the onset of myositis may be triggered by a viral infection. Specific viruses associated with myositis include HIV and HTLV-1. A general viral illness may precede symptoms in some individuals, but a direct causal link with common viruses like those causing colds or flu is not firmly established.

What Triggers Myositis?

Physicians aren't sure what triggers myositis. It can develop independently, but in some cases, it may be linked to other underlying conditions:

• Myositis is classified as an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system mistakenly targets the body’s own tissues instead of protecting them.
• The precise cause of this immune system malfunction is still unclear.
   

However, individuals who already have other autoimmune conditions may have a higher risk of developing myositis. They may include:

• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scleroderma
   

Some individuals get myositis following infection with a virus, such as:

• Common cold
• Flu (influenza)
• HIV

How is Myositis Treated?

Even though myositis isn't curable, treatment attempts to regulate symptoms and reduce muscle inflammation. They may include the following:

1. Medical Treatment

• Corticosteroids & Immunosuppressants: Medications like prednisone, dexamethasone, methotrexate, azathioprine, and mycophenolate mofetil help reduce immune attacks and skin rash. Improvement is monitored closely.
• Anti-inflammatories: Anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDs are given for pain relief.
   

2. Lifestyle Changes

The following lifestyle changes can help prevent myositis symptoms:

• Physical Therapy with Medication: Most physicians recommend physical therapy along with medication. After the medicines start taking effect, regular stretching exercises are beneficial to keep the range of motion intact in weak legs and arms and prevent muscle shortening. Physicians may also recommend whirlpool baths, heat, and light massage.
• Rest: Proper rest is also essential for the patient to cope with myositis. Regular breaks in a day and limiting activity are also required.
• Healthy Meal: A healthy meal can assist in preventing and restricting the effects of myositis symptoms. Therefore, eating according to a dietitian-approved meal timetable is required.
• Manage Stress: Practices like yoga and meditation can assist individuals with myositis in lowering stress levels, which is essential for their overall well-being.
   

Here are some additional pointers to keep in mind:

• Treatment options differ between inclusion body myositis and infectious myositis.
• Alemtuzumab might be a promising therapy for those with inclusion body myositis, especially since this condition often resists corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs.
• For infectious myositis, some patients improve with oral antibiotics like cloxacillin, while others may need intravenous antibiotics and additional procedures such as abscess drainage.
   

Without proper treatment, the infection could lead to sepsis.

At present, myositis is an incurable condition. However, several research studies are being conducted to find a cause and a cure. Keeping an emphasis on early diagnosis, appropriate treatments, and follow-up will enable the patients to lead normal lives by suppressing the symptoms.

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