dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis: Symptoms, Treatment

Brief overview What is dermatomyositis? A rare inflammatory muscle and skin disease that is one of the rheumatic diseases. Also called purple disease because of the often purple skin lesions. Forms: Juvenile dermatomyositis (in children), Adult dermatomyositis (mainly in women), Paraneoplastic dermatomyositis (associated with cancer), Amyopathic dermatomyositis (skin changes only). Symptoms: Fatigue, fever, weight loss, … Dermatomyositis: Symptoms, Treatment

Myositis

Overview Myositis is an inflammatory disease of muscle tissue. It can be triggered by a variety of causes, but is usually the result of an autoimmune disease. Myositides mainly occur in association with other diseases, but overall they represent a relatively rare clinical picture. Only 10 cases of myositis are recorded among one million inhabitants … Myositis

Diagnostics | Myositis

Diagnostics The diagnosis of myositis is usually complicated because it is difficult to differentiate between different clinical pictures. The clinical symptoms should be the guide, as these can give an indication of the type and location of the inflammation. However, the majority of myositis is a creeping disease that is noticed only late. This increases … Diagnostics | Myositis

Special clinical pictures | Myositis

Special clinical pictures Münchmeyer syndrome (Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva): An inherited genetic defect that affects the development of skeletal muscles leads to the so-called Münchmeyer syndrome. In this syndrome, lime salts are stored in muscle cells for years and as a result, the muscles become ossified. Starting in the neck area, the disease progresses from the … Special clinical pictures | Myositis

Therapy | Myositis

Therapy The treatment of dermatomyositis and polymyositis corresponds to the mostly applied therapy of autoimmune diseases. Cortisone is administered, which partially inhibits the immune system and leads to a flattening of the inflammation, so that the tissue can recover. Relatively high doses are used, which are gradually reduced over a longer period of time. Depending … Therapy | Myositis

Polymyositis

Definition Polymyositis is a presumably immunologically caused disease of the muscle cells of the human body, which can lead to moderate to severe symptoms. Until today, the exact mechanism of the disease is not known. Until now, a so-called autoimmunological cause of the disease has been assumed, in which an excessive reaction of the human … Polymyositis

Diagnosis | Polymyositis

Diagnosis The diagnosis of polymyositis is difficult to make due to its manifold appearance. Usually one thinks first of a flu-like infection, a rheumatological illness or a medicine reaction (e.g. Simvastatin), before the suspicion of a Polymyositis is steered. When making a diagnosis, it is first important to rule out the other possible causes. One … Diagnosis | Polymyositis

Therapy | Polymyositis

Therapy Due to the complexity of the clinical picture, the treatment of polymyositis is accordingly difficult. Like all autoimmune diseases, treatment attempts are made in the direction of throttling the immune system. Cortisone and so-called immunosuppressive drugs reduce the performance of the immune system. Pain treatment is carried out with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs (e.g. … Therapy | Polymyositis

Muscle inflammation

Definition Muscle inflammation, also called “myositis“, is an inflammatory process that takes place in the muscle. Such a myositis can have a whole range of causes. It is not always bacterial or viral pathogens that trigger the inflammation, but degenerative diseases or autoimmune reactions can also be behind it. A distinction is made between three … Muscle inflammation