Description and Possible Medical Problems
Muscle ache that’s accompanied by weakness is a common occurrence. But if you have a constant dull ache in the muscles around your shoulders and/or the backs of your hips and you don’t have the strength you once did, you may have a rare, progressive disease called polymyositis. This disorder is a variation of dermatomyositis, in which the muscle pain and lack of strength are frequently accompanied by a rash, which is a deep red and may be scaly. The rash most often appears around the eyes and on the neck, chest, hands, and elbows.
Both polymyositis and dermatomyositis are arthritic disorders, but they primarily affect the muscles, which become inflamed and swollen in both diseases, and not the joints, as other forms of arthritis do. Doctors believe that polymyositis and dermatomyositis are caused by a defect in the immune system.
Treatment
If your doctor discovers you have polymyositis, dermatomyositis, or polymyalgia rheumatica, he will probably prescribe the corticosteroid prednisone to help reduce pain and inflammation. Prednisone will also help lessen the rash and inflammation that accompany dermatomyositis. Prednisone works by increasing the body’s tolerance to the inflammation in the blood vessels and tissues, thus alleviating the symptoms.
*508\167\8*
RelatedPosts:
Tags: General health