What is the difference between dermatomyositis and polymyositis?

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. Doctors may use a physical exam, lab tests, imaging tests and a muscle biopsy to diagnose myositis.

What are the signs and symptoms of polymyositis?

What are the symptoms of polymyositis?

• Muscle pain and stiffness.
• Muscle weakness, particularly in the belly (abdomen), shoulders, upper arms, and hips.
• Joint pain and stiffness.
• Trouble catching your breath.
• Problems with swallowing.
• Irregular heart rhythms, if the heart muscle becomes inflamed.

What causes dermatomyositis to flare up?

What causes dermatomyositis? In most cases, the cause of an inflammatory myopathy is unclear. For some reason, the body’s immune system turns against its own muscles and damages muscle tissue in an autoimmune process. In dermatomyositis, these cells attack the small blood vessels that supply muscles and skin.

What medications can cause polymyositis?

Among the drugs that have been suspected of contributing to myositis are carticaine (a local anesthetic), penicillamine (a drug used to lower copper levels in the body), interferon-alpha (mostly used to treat cancer and hepatitis ), cimetidine (used to treat ulcers), carbimazole (to treat thyroid disease),…

Does polymyositis go away?

In many cases, there has been long remission from the condition of polymyositis; but this depends on how fast the treatment has been started. Though there is no complete cure for polymyositis, with early treatment, the problems and complications can be reduced to a great extent.

Can polymyositis be cured?

There is no cure for polymyositis, but the symptoms can be treated with medication, physical and occupational therapy, exercise, heat therapy (including microwave and ultrasound), orthotics and assistive devices, and rest.

Can polymyositis cause death?

Polymyositis rarely causes death, but is associated with lung, and heart disease, as well as an increased risk of certain cancers, such as bladder cancer and lymphoma.