Inflammatory myopathy is a group of rare muscle diseases characterized by inflammation and weakness in the muscles, which can lead to difficulties with movement and daily activities. Managing inflammatory myopathy requires specialized care to reduce muscle inflammation and improve muscle function. Dr. Zunaira Ali, serving the communities of Houston, Spring, Cypress, Tomball, and Katy in Texas, provides expert diagnosis and personalized treatment plans to help patients with inflammatory myopathy navigate their condition and enhance their quality of life.
What Is Inflammatory Myopathy?
Inflammatory myopathy is a group of relatively uncommon rheumatic diseases—polymyositis, dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis (IBM)—all of which are characterized by chronic inflammation of the muscles and other associated tissues, such as the blood vessels that supply the muscles. For reasons that are not well understood, the body’s immune system inappropriately targets these tissues, causing them to become inflamed and damaged over time.
What are the symptoms of inflammatory myopathy?
Usually, inflammatory myopathy causes little to no muscle pain. Rather, its most common symptoms include:
- Progressive weakness in the large muscles in the neck, shoulders and hips
- Difficulty climbing stairs, getting up from a seated position and reaching for objects overhead
- General fatigue and lack of energy
- Coughing and shortness of breath
- Choking while eating and aspirating food into the lungs
- Sometimes the disease can affect other parts of the body – mainly the lungs where it can cause life-threatening pulmonary fibrosis.
How is inflammatory myopathy treated?
Inflammatory myopathy can be life-threatening. When the muscle involvement is significant or the lungs are affected, early and aggressive therapy can make a tremendous difference in quality of life and prognosis. Most treatment plans involve the use of medications such as corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and immunosuppressants to suppress the inappropriate autoimmune response.
After the immunosuppressant therapy stops the inflammation from destroying the muscles, physical therapy is a key component of myopathy treatment to help regain muscle strength and improve function. Of course, every patient’s situation is unique, so his or her personal course of therapy should be discussed with a physician prior to beginning.
If you are dealing with inflammatory myopathy, Dr. Zunaira Ali and the team at Advanced Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine are committed to offering the comprehensive care and support you need. Our practice, serving Houston, Spring, Cypress, Tomball, and Katy in Texas, is dedicated to helping you manage your symptoms and improve your muscle health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step towards better muscle function and overall well-being.