A rare form of inflammatory muscle disease called polymyositis causes muscle weakness on both sides of the body. The muscles, associated tissues, and blood vessels that support them become inflamed. A person with this disease could find it challenging to ascend stairs, stand up from a chair, lift objects, or reach up high. It primarily affects middle-aged adults, and women are more likely than men to be affected. Signs and symptoms typically appear over the course of weeks or months.  To enhance muscle function, increase muscle strength, and lessen pain in the muscles, homeopathy for polymyositis can be used in conjunction with conventional treatment.

 

Introduction:

 

Two kinds of inflammatory myopathies, polymyositis (PM) and necrotizing myopathy (NM), are distinguished by distinctive findings on a muscle biopsy. While NM causes more muscle fiber necrosis and degeneration, polymyositis causes more inflammatory alterations in the muscular tissue. Both result in some degree of muscle atrophy (wasting) and symmetric weakness. The muscles closest to and inside the body’s trunk, such as the hip, shoulders, arms, pharynx, and neck, are those that are most commonly afflicted. Men can also get polymyositis, but women over the age of 20 are more likely to do so. All age groups are susceptible to necrotizing myopathy, which is extremely seldom encountered as a side effect of statin medications used to decrease serum cholesterol.

The typical time frame for muscle weakening is days, weeks, or months. Some individuals who are impacted experience muscle soreness, respiratory issues, and difficulty swallowing. Dermatomyositis is the term used when the disorder is triggered by an inflammatory reaction that also affects the skin. It is possible for polymyositis to coexist with other diseases. Sometimes, malignancies like lymphoma, lung, breast, ovarian, and colon can be linked to both polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

 

Causes:

 

It is yet unknown what causes Polymyositis specifically. However, it is classified as an auto-immune disease. There may also be some genetic connections. Polymyositis may be brought on by certain illnesses, including viruses, parasites (protozoa), Lyme disease, etc. Recent investigations have suggested that specific immunological factors, including cytokines like IFN-gamma and IL 2, which are generated following microvascular muscle injury, are involved. That, in turn, caused other cytokines to be activated, including TNF-alpha, which is likewise in charge of ongoing and recurrent inflammation of the muscles.

All things considered, polymyositis is a complex condition that is influenced by genetic, immunological, and other factors. The goal of homeopathic treatment is to manage the disease processes and alleviate symptoms while attempting to address a variety of causes.

 

Symptoms:

 

Here are a few signs and symptoms of polymyositis. These signs may appear and disappear:

• Having trouble swallowing.
• Occasionally, muscles will ache and feel tender to the touch.
• Fatigue
• Due to heart and lung involvement, breathlessness.
• Some patients also have spotty, red skin over their knuckles, elbows, and knees, as well as a red rash on their neck and upper chest. Others develop a patchy, red, or violet rash around their eyes.
• Fever
• Loss of weight.
• Weakness in the muscles is the most prevalent sign. With rare cases where symptoms arise rapidly, the muscles implicated are frequently located closest to the body’s trunk, and weakness normally develops gradually over an interval of 3 to 6 months.
• Some people also struggle to get up after lying down, as well as having problems ascending stairs or lifting objects.

 

Diagnosis:

 

Due to the lack of physical symptoms prior to the beginning of muscle disease, the diagnosis of polymyositis is frequently delayed. In order to rule out alternative causes of myopathy, it’s crucial to include both family history and drug history. A diagnosis may also be made after doing a number of tests. If your doctor thinks you could have polymyositis, he might recommend the following tests:

• The scan known as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to create cross-sectional images of muscle.
• A small amount of muscle tissue is surgically extracted and submitted for analysis during a muscle biopsy. Through this method, problems such as inflammation, damage, the presence of proteins, or enzyme shortages may be discovered.
• Blood tests: Your doctor can tell if you have elevated levels of muscle enzymes, which might indicate muscle injury, by looking at your blood results. Blood testing can also identify particular autoantibodies associated with polymyositis, which is helpful in determining the best course of action.
• Electromyography: The activity of the brain is monitored as you relax or contract the muscle, and any modifications to the electrical impulse’s pattern can help to identify the condition. The doctor can also test several muscles to see where the condition is most prevalent.

 

Homeopathic Treatment:

 

In cases of polymyositis, homeopathic drugs provide good supportive assistance to control symptoms. To increase muscle strength, and function, and reduce discomfort, these medications can be used in conjunction with standard medical care. These drugs work by reducing the symptoms of muscular inflammation and the overactive immune response that is producing it. When the signs are mild to moderate in severity and there are no problems, these medications are advised. However, it is highly advised to seek help from conventional modes of treatment in extreme circumstances or when complications of any kind, such as cancer, heart or lung issues, or other health problems, are present. In treating these cases of polymyositis, homeopathy has limitations.

• Aesculus for Neck Weakness in the Back
• Calcarea Carb for Muscle Weakness and Pain in the Thighs
• Belladonna for Pain in the Upper Arm and Thigh
• Phosphorus for Upper Arm Weakness
• Stannum Met for Neck, Upper Arms, and Thigh Weakness
• For Neck Weakness and Pain, Bryonia Alba
• Gelsemium for Pain and Weakness in the Muscles
• Causticum To Strengthen Limbs
• Rhus Tox to Treat Muscle Pain
• For Weak Neck Muscle, Arnica

The intramuscular infusion of immunoglobulins (IVIG) has proven to be a successful treatment in severe cases of polymyositis. The use of physical therapy is crucial in the management of polymyositis. Individuals with polymyositis can thrive if they receive early medical therapy for the condition and disease flare-ups. The condition frequently goes into remission, allowing the patient to concentrate on muscular recovery. Despite not being expressly licensed for use in polymyositis, a number of vitamins and supplements have benefited patients. Examples include fish oil, creatine, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and others.

Despite the fact that myositis is active, physical treatment and a regular exercise program are frequently advised because of the growing body of research on the health benefits of exercise. Heat therapy, passive range-of-motion exercises, and splints to prevent contractures are also helpful to patients. If the muscles that control swallowing weaken, speech therapy may be helpful. If swallowing and chewing become difficult, a trained nutritionist can also be suggested.

 

Precautions:

 

• Avoid processed and quick food, especially if it contains corn syrup with high fructose content, artificial additives, pesticides, and preservatives. Instead, opt for a variety of unprocessed meals and colorful, fresh veggies.
• Limit your consumption of foods made with wheat flour and sugar, especially pasta, bread, and the vast majority of packaged munchies. Instead, choose whole-grain foods like bulgur wheat and brown rice.
• Eat a greater amount of seafood, cheese, and yogurt than animal proteins, as well as plant-based protein especially that from soybeans and plant-based protein generally.
• Avoid soda, and go for tea rather than coffee.
• If you drink, red wine is recommended.
• Exercise can help with angiogenesis, mitochondrial function, muscle growth, and inflammation reduction in cases of dermatomyositis and polymyositis that have progressed.