What Is Polymyositis?

By james

Reviewed: Dr. Mera

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Polymyositis is a rare condition that causes the patient to experience considerable loss of muscle strength, in addition to some other symptoms. It occurs when the immune system attacks the patient’s muscles, causing inflammation of the tissue.

With treatment, some patients can regain some degree of muscle strength. Furthermore, polymyositis can also increase the chances of the patient developing other conditions like cancer, pulmonary disease, or other autoimmune conditions.

1. Cause

Exactly why polymyositis happens is not at all well understood; thus it is known as an idiopathic disease. However, we do know that it is an autoimmune condition partly mediated by T- lymphocytes, cells that are part of our immune system. Allegedly, T cells mistakenly target unknown molecules in the muscle, eventually surrounding, invading, and destroying healthy tissue. This leads to insidious onset of muscle weakness.

Polymyositis is frequently associated with other autoimmune conditions. As is typical for autoimmune conditions, there is no known cure for polymyositis. It can, however, be treated and some people go on to make a partial, if not full, recovery.