polymyositis
Inflammatory muscle disease
Polymyositis is an inflammatory muscle disease causing progressive weakness, typically in the muscles closest to the trunk—shoulders, upper arms, hips, and thighs.
Patients struggle with everyday movements: climbing stairs, lifting objects, rising from chairs.
The condition is autoimmune, with the body's immune system attacking its own muscle tissue.
Treatment usually involves corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.
Related conditions include dermatomyositis, which adds skin involvement.
Reduced contractile capacity
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- dysphagiaMedical swallowing difficulty
- dysarthriaMotor speech muscle disorder
- dyspneaLabored respiration condition
Immunoglobulins targeting self-antigens
- T-cellsThymus-matured immune lymphocytes
- B-cellsAntibody-secreting immune cells
- autoimmunityImmune system targets self
- immunosuppressantsDrugs reducing body defenses
corticosteroids · biologics · methotrexate · immunotherapy · cytokines · interleukin · flare-up · remission
Synthetic corticosteroid medication
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- methotrexateAntifolate chemotherapy agent
- physical therapyRehabilitative movement-based medical care
- occupational therapyRestoring practical life abilities
speech therapy · rehabilitation · exercise program · stretching · strengthening · respiratory therapy · sun protection · vitamin D
Favoring reform and innovation
- long-term managementSustained guidance over duration
- disabilityImpairment affecting life activities
- quality of lifeGeneral life satisfaction
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
relapse · remission · support groups · assistive devices · pacing · comorbidities · prognosis · muscle recovery
Muscle electrical activity measurement
- MRIMagnetic body imaging
- ALTLiver function indicator
- clinical examinationDoctor assessing patient directly
muscle weakness
Reduced contractile capacity
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- dysphagiaMedical swallowing difficulty
- dysarthriaMotor speech muscle disorder
dyspnea · fatigue · aspiration · weight loss
autoantibodies
Immunoglobulins targeting self-antigens
- T-cellsThymus-matured immune lymphocytes
- B-cellsAntibody-secreting immune cells
- autoimmunityImmune system targets self
immunosuppressants · corticosteroids · biologics · methotrexate · immunotherapy · cytokines · interleukin · flare-up · remission · self-tolerance
prednisone
Synthetic corticosteroid medication
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- methotrexateAntifolate chemotherapy agent
- physical therapyRehabilitative movement-based medical care
occupational therapy · speech therapy · rehabilitation · exercise program · stretching · strengthening · respiratory therapy · sun protection · vitamin D
progressive
Favoring reform and innovation
- long-term managementSustained guidance over duration
- disabilityImpairment affecting life activities
- quality of lifeGeneral life satisfaction
monitoring · relapse · remission · support groups · assistive devices · pacing · comorbidities · prognosis · muscle recovery
electromyography
Muscle electrical activity measurement
- MRIMagnetic body imaging
- ALTLiver function indicator
- clinical examinationDoctor assessing patient directly
poly, dermatitis, myopathy, myalgia, myositis, polyneuropathy, itis, poly-