Definition of Dermatomyositis:
Dermatomyositis (Dur-mat-oh-my-oh-sigh-tis)is an uncommon inflammatory disease marked by muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash, and is classified as a chronic inflammatory Myopathy.
Dermatomyositis affects adults and children alike. In adults Dermatomyositis usually occurs between the late 40,s and early 60,s and in children usually occurs between the ages of 5 and 15 years of age, Dermatomyositis usually affects more Females than Males.
Periods of Remission, when symptoms of Dermatomyositis improve spontaneously, may occur.
Treatment can clear the skin rash and help you regain muscle strength and function.
Symptoms of Dermatomyositis:
The most common signs and Symptoms of Dermatomyositis include:
Skin Changes: A violet or Red rash develops most commonly on the face and eye lids, and on area,s around finger nails, Knuckles, Elbows, Knee,s, Chest and Back. The rash, which can be patchy with Bluish-Purple discolouration, is often the first sign of Dermatomyositis.
Muscle Weakness: Progressive muscle weakness involves the muscle,s nearest to the trunk, like those in the Hips, Thigh,s, Shoulders, upper arms and Neck. The weakness is Symmetrical affecting both the left and right side of the body, and tends to gradually worsen.
Other Dermatomyositis signs and symptoms that may occur can include
Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia):
Muscle pain or tenderness:
Fatigue:
Fever:
Weight Loss:
Calcinosis: Hardened deposits of calcium under te skin.
Gastrointestinal Ulcers:
Lung Problems:
The Cause of Dermatomyositis:
The exact cause of Dermatomyositis is unknown, but but the disease shares many characteristics with autoimmune disorders, in which your immune system attacks normal body components. Normally your immune system works to protect your healthy body cells against attack from foreign substances, if you have Polymyositis, an unknown cause may act as a trigger for your immune system to start producing autoimmune antibodies, that attack your body's own tissue. Many people with Polymyositis show a detectable level of autoantibodies in their blood
Small blood vessels in muscular tissue are particularly affected in Dermatomyositis. Inflammatory cells surround the blood vessels and eventually lead to degeneration of muscle fibers.
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Dermatomyositis (Dur-mat-oh-my-oh-sigh-tis)is an uncommon inflammatory disease marked by muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash, and is classified as a chronic inflammatory Myopathy.
Dermatomyositis affects adults and children alike. In adults Dermatomyositis usually occurs between the late 40,s and early 60,s and in children usually occurs between the ages of 5 and 15 years of age, Dermatomyositis usually affects more Females than Males.
Periods of Remission, when symptoms of Dermatomyositis improve spontaneously, may occur.
Treatment can clear the skin rash and help you regain muscle strength and function.
Symptoms of Dermatomyositis:
The most common signs and Symptoms of Dermatomyositis include:
Skin Changes: A violet or Red rash develops most commonly on the face and eye lids, and on area,s around finger nails, Knuckles, Elbows, Knee,s, Chest and Back. The rash, which can be patchy with Bluish-Purple discolouration, is often the first sign of Dermatomyositis.
Muscle Weakness: Progressive muscle weakness involves the muscle,s nearest to the trunk, like those in the Hips, Thigh,s, Shoulders, upper arms and Neck. The weakness is Symmetrical affecting both the left and right side of the body, and tends to gradually worsen.
Other Dermatomyositis signs and symptoms that may occur can include
Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia):
Muscle pain or tenderness:
Fatigue:
Fever:
Weight Loss:
Calcinosis: Hardened deposits of calcium under te skin.
Gastrointestinal Ulcers:
Lung Problems:
The Cause of Dermatomyositis:
The exact cause of Dermatomyositis is unknown, but but the disease shares many characteristics with autoimmune disorders, in which your immune system attacks normal body components. Normally your immune system works to protect your healthy body cells against attack from foreign substances, if you have Polymyositis, an unknown cause may act as a trigger for your immune system to start producing autoimmune antibodies, that attack your body's own tissue. Many people with Polymyositis show a detectable level of autoantibodies in their blood
Small blood vessels in muscular tissue are particularly affected in Dermatomyositis. Inflammatory cells surround the blood vessels and eventually lead to degeneration of muscle fibers.
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