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| Dermatomyositis like any disease comes about as a malfunction of
one or more of your bodies systems. Much if not most of the
time this is a result of a slow degenerative process due to the
lack of adequate bodily supplies of the elements necessary for
normal function and rejuvenation of affected organs. Commercial
Farming and natural erosion has depleted global farmlands of most
essential elements therefore it is not wise to assume that your
diet contains enough of these elements for normal body function
and maintenance. See
Senate Document 264.
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What is Dermatomyositis?
Dermatomyositis is one of a group of acquired muscle diseases called
inflammatory myopathies. The disease, which has a subacute (somewhat
short and relatively severe) onset, affects both children and adults.
Females are more often affected than males. Dermatomyositis is
characterized by a rash accompanying, or more often, preceding muscle
weakness. The rash is described as patchy, bluish-purple discolorations
on the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, elbows, knees, knuckles, and
back. Some patients may also develop hardened bumps of calcium deposits
under the skin. The most common symptom is muscle weakness, usually
affecting those muscles that are closest to the trunk of the body
(proximal). Eventually, patients have difficulty rising from a sitting
position, climbing stairs, lifting objects, or reaching overhead. In
some cases, distal muscles (those not close to the trunk of the body)
may be affected later in the course of the disease. Trouble with
swallowing (dysphagia) may occur. Occasionally, the muscles ache and are
tender to touch. Patients may also feel fatigue and discomfort and have
weight loss or a low-grade fever.
Is there any
treatment?
Treatment for dermatomyositis generally consists of a steroid drug
called prednisone. For patients in whom prednisone is not effective,
other immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and methotrexate may be
prescribed. Recently, a drug called intravenous immunoglobulin was shown
to be effective and safe in the treatment of the disease. Physical
therapy is usually recommended to preserve muscle function and avoid
muscle atrophy.
What is the
prognosis?
Most cases of dermatomyositis respond to therapy. The disease is usually
more severe and resistant to therapy in patients with cardiac or
pulmonary problems.
What
research is being done?
The NINDS conducts and supports a broad range of research on
neuromuscular disorders such as inflammatory myopathies. The goals of
these studies are to conduct therapeutic trials to increase
understanding of the disorders and, ultimately, to find ways to prevent
and cure them.
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The
Whole Story