Myositis (muscle inflammation or infection)

Legs | Rheumatology | Myositis (muscle inflammation or infection) (Disease)


Description

Myositis is a general term for inflammation of the muscles. Many such conditions are considered likely to be caused by autoimmune conditions, rather than directly due to infection (although autoimmune conditions can be activated or exacerbated by infections. ) It is also a documented side effect of the lipid-lowering drugs statins and fibrates.

Causes and Risk factors

Elevation of creatine kinase in blood is indicative of myositis

Myositis is inflammation of your skeletal muscles, which are also called the voluntary muscles. These are the muscles you consciously control that help you move your body. An injury, infection or autoimmune disease can cause myositis.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Your doctor will probably recommend a course of medical therapy using the following 2 classes of drugs:

(1) Corticosteroids (i. e. prednisone) and other drugs that suppress the immune system (immunosuppresants) may slow down the attack on healthy tissue and improve skin rash. Your doctor will probably repeat blood tests throughout your treatment for myositis to monitor improvement.

(2) Anti-inflammatories You may also want to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin or ibuprofen for pain relief. ...