Myositis

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Myositis is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Disclaimers

MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines.

New on the MedlinePlus Myositis page:

ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test

07/24/2018 04:14 PM EDT

Source: National Library of Medicine - From the National Institutes of Health

Summary

Myositis means inflammation of the muscles that you use to move your body. An injury, infection, or autoimmune disease can cause it. Two specific kinds are polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Polymyositis causes muscle weakness, usually in the muscles closest to the trunk of your body. Dermatomyositis causes muscle weakness, plus a skin rash.

Other symptoms of myositis may include

Fatigue after walking or standing
Tripping or falling
Trouble swallowing or breathing

Doctors may use a physical exam, lab tests, imaging tests and a muscle biopsy to diagnose myositis. There is no cure for these diseases, but you can treat the symptoms. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are first treated with high doses of a corticosteroid. Other options include medications, physical therapy, exercise, heat therapy, assistive devices, and rest.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Start Here

Dermatomyositis (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Inflammatory Myopathies (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)Also in Spanish
Inflammatory Myopathies (Myositis) (Muscular Dystrophy Association) - PDFAlso in Spanish
Metabolic Myopathies (American College of Rheumatology)Also in Spanish
Polymyositis (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Symptoms

Dermatomyositis: Signs and Symptoms (Muscular Dystrophy Association)

Diagnosis and Tests

ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test (National Library of Medicine)
Dermatomyositis: Diagnosis (Muscular Dystrophy Association)
Inclusion-Body Myositis: Diagnosis (Muscular Dystrophy Association)
Polymyositis: Diagnosis (Muscular Dystrophy Association)

Treatments and Therapies

Dermatomysitis: Medical Management (Muscular Dystrophy Association)
Polymyositis: Medical Management (Muscular Dystrophy Association)

Living With

Polymyositis: Can a Gluten-Free Diet Reduce Symptoms?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish

Specifics

Dermatomyositis (DM) (American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
Inclusion Body Myositis (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Polymyositis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)