Myositis
Myositis is inflammation of muscle, from any cause including the generalised effects of viral infections such as influenza, when the symptoms resolve with the disease. Two conditions are specific to the muscles themselves: polymyositis causes weakness and tenderness of muscles in the arms and legs, due to an immune attack on muscle fibres, in dermatomyositis there’s also inflammation in skin on, amongst other places, the face and the back of the fingers. This disorder is due to immune attack on small blood vessels in skin and muscles. The muscles most commonly involved are those of the shoulder girdle and the lower back and thigh, though others including those responsible for allowing us to speak may also be involved (causing a condition called dysphonia). In some patients dermatomyositis may be a sign of underlying cancer, which should be considered. The symptoms of polymyositis and dermatomyositis may be reduced by agents to suppress the immune response.
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