National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Myositis is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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National Institutes of Health
Myositis
Myositis means inflammation of the muscles that you use to move your body. An injury, infection, or autoimmune disease can cause it. Two specific kinds are polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Polymyositis causes muscle weakness, usually in the muscles closest to the trunk of your body. Dermatomyositis causes muscle weakness, plus a skin rash.
Other symptoms of myositis may include
- Fatigue after walking or standing
- Tripping or falling
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
Doctors may use a physical exam, lab tests, imaging tests and a muscle biopsy to diagnose myositis. There is no cure for these diseases, but you can treat the symptoms. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are first treated with high doses of a corticosteroid. Other options include medications, physical therapy, exercise, heat therapy, assistive devices, and rest.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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Start Here
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Dermatomyositis(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Short Summary
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Inflammatory Myopathies(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Short Summary
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Polymyositis(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Short Summary
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Dermatomyositis
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Learn More
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Multimedia & Cool Tools
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The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Research
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Reference Shelf
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For You
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For group Research
For group Reference Shelf
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Overviews
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Inflammatory Myopathies(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Also available in Spanish
- Inflammatory Myopathies (Myositis)(Muscular Dystrophy Association) - PDF
- Myositis(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Myositis(Arthritis Foundation)
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Inflammatory Myopathies
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA)(American College of Rheumatology)
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Dermatomyositis: Diagnosis(Muscular Dystrophy Association)
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Dermatomyositis: Signs and Symptoms(Muscular Dystrophy Association)
- Electromyography (EMG)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Inclusion-Body Myositis: Diagnosis(Muscular Dystrophy Association)
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Polymyositis: Diagnosis(Muscular Dystrophy Association)
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Treatment
- Dermatomysitis: Medical Management(Muscular Dystrophy Association)
- Polymyositis: Medical Management(Muscular Dystrophy Association)
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Nutrition
- Polymyositis: Can a Gluten-Free Diet Reduce Symptoms?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Specific Conditions
- Dermatomyositis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Dermatomyositis (DM)(American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
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Inclusion Body Myositis(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Short Summary
- Polymyositis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Dermatomyositis(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Myositis(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Polymyositis(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Dermatomyositis
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Genetics
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Genetics Home Reference: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy(National Library of Medicine)
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Genetics Home Reference: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: current trends in pathogenesis, clinical features, and...
- Article: Correlation of clinicoserologic and pathologic classifications of inflammatory myopathies: study...
- Article: The clinical phenotypes of the juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.
- Myositis -- see more articles
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Directories
- Geographic Membership Directory(American College of Rheumatology)
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Organizations
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Also available in Spanish
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Also available in Spanish
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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Patient Handouts
- Dermatomyositis
- Also available in Spanish
- Polymyositis - adult
- Also available in Spanish
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You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
