WHAT ARE MYOPATHIES?
Autoimmune myopathies are a group of diseases that involve inflammation of the muscles and may be associated with diseases of internal organs. Diseases affecting muscles include polymyositis, dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The main symptom is muscle weakness in the upper arms, upper legs and neck, muscle pain, fatigue, joint pain and swelling, rashes over the face and knuckles, fevers, swallowing difficulty and shortness of breath.
CAUSE
The cause of myopathies is unknown, but environmental factors (such as viral infections) and genetic predisposition are felt to be important in some cases.
HEALTH IMPACT
Only about 1 new case per 100,000 is diagnosed each year.
Myopathies occur two to three times more frequently in women than men.
Severity of disease varies from a mild form with almost no symptoms to a severe, life-threatening disease.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is attained through a history and physical exam, certain laboratory tests, muscle biopsy and electromyography (a study of the electrical activity of muscle). Other diseases or conditions such as hypothyroidism, toxin exposure, drug reactions and genetic disorders may also affect muscles and need to be ruled out.
TREATMENT
These complex diseases can involve many body organs and, while not curable, many of the symptoms can be treated effectively with patient education, physical and occupational therapy, and medications. Medications may include corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs (drugs that keep the immune system from attacking its own body), such as methotrexate and azathioprine.
THE RHEUMATOLOGIST’S ROLE IN TREATING MYOPATHIES
Rheumatologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of myopathies. Researchers play a critical role in both basic science and clinical investigation of the disease. Rheumatologists educate other physicians about the disease and its treatment.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you want to find a rheumatologist in your area, check the American College of Rheumatology membership directory. If you want more information on this or any other form of arthritis, contact the Arthritis Foundation at (800) 283-7800 or visit the Arthritis Foundation web site at
www.arthritis.org.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia, is a mysteriously debilitating syndrome. It is not physically damaging to the body in any way, but is characterized by the constant presence of widespread pain so severe that it is often incapacitating. Other symptoms include, but are not limited to; chronic muscle pain, aching, stiffness, disturbed sleep, depression, and fatigue. It is estimated that three to six million people are afflicted in the United States alone.
The condition mainly affects women aged 25 to 50 years and bears a striking resemblance to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Unfortunately, no one laboratory test or X-ray can diagnose fibromyalgia, however, research has revealed that upon a physical examination: the presence of 18 specific points in muscles, tendons or bones are tender and painful to the touch. These tender points can be used to distinguish fibromyalgia from other painful joint and muscle conditions. The identifying criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia is pain or tenderness experienced in at least 11 of the 18 points. These tender points can range from mildly irritating to completely debilitating. Roughly 75% of CFS-diagnosed patients will meet the FMS criteria.As a person who suffers from fms, you may have some degree of constant pain but the severity may vary. You may have a deep ache or a burning pain, muscle tightening or spasms. Most people with fibromyalgia feel tired or out of energy. They are sensative to odors, bright lights, loud noises and even medicines. Headaches and jaw pain are also common.
PAIN
Pain becomes a part of your daily existence for patients of Fibromyalgia. The Pain of Fibromyalgia(FMS) runs throughout the body. Patients describe the pain as deep muscular burning, throbbing, shooting and stabbing. In a majority of cases, the pain and stiffness are more severe in the mornings. To meet the diagnostic criteria, patients must have widespread pain in all four quadrants of their body for a minimum duration of three (3) months and at least 11 of the18 specified tender points. These 18 sites cluster around the neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knee and elbow regions.
SLEEPDISORDERS
Most FMS patients have an associated sleep disorder called the alpha-EEG anomaly. Research has found that people with FMS could fall asleep without much trouble, but their deep level (or stage 4) Sleep was constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity. Some FMS-diagnosed patients have been found to have other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea,, restless leg syndrome and teeth grinding. .
FATIGUE
Fatigue can be mild in some patients yet incapacitating in others. The fatigue has often been described as "brain fatigue" in which patients feel totally drained of energy. Many patients depict this situation by saying that they feel as thought their arms and legs are tied to concrete blocks, and they have difficulty concentrating.
CHRONIC HEADACHES
Recurrent migraine or tension type headaches are seen in about 50% of FMS patients.
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas and nausea represent symptoms frequently found in roughly 40 to 70% of FMS patients.
TMJ
Tempromandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome causes tremendous face and head pain in one quarter of FMS patients. Most of the problems associated with this condition are thought to be related to the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint and not necessarily the joint itself.
Hope this helps out BigJay, i got it off a couple sites on the net. What is the heart problem if you don't mind me asking ? My dad went through a triple bipass not to long ago and heart conditions run in our family. Hope all goes good with the doc
M18
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