Myopathy

Myopathy causes dysfunction of the muscles due to inflammation or disease and can cause a number of symptoms. The symptoms can vary in intensity among individuals.

You may experience myopathy symptoms daily or just once in a while. At times, any of these muscle symptoms can be severe:

• Cramping
• Pain
• Paralysis
• Rigidity
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Wasting (atrophy)
• Weakness

In some cases, symptoms of myopathy can signal a serious condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these serious symptoms including:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Muscle twitching or cramps in tongue, shoulders or arms
• Muscle weakness in ankles, feet or legs
• Slurred speech
• Sudden weakness on one side of the body
• Trouble raising the toes and foot

Myopathy refers to any disease that affects the muscle tissue. Diseases of the muscle result in weakness, inflammation, tetany (spasms), or paralysis. Myopathy can be the result of either inherited or acquired causes.

Myopathy may be due to genetic conditions. Examples of some genetic conditions that result in myopathy include:

• Congenital myopathies, that are present at birth
• Familial periodic paralysis
• Glycogen storage disease of muscle (including Pompe’s disease)
• Mitochondrial myopathies (abnormalities of the cellular components known as mitochondria)
• Muscular dystrophy

Myopathy may have acquired or unknown causes. Examples include:

• Common muscle cramps
• Dehydration (loss of body fluids and electrolytes, which can be life threatening when severe and untreated)
• Endocrine disorders
• Infection
• Myositis (muscle inflammation)
• Neuron disorders (typically neuromuscular diseases)

A number of factors increase the risk of developing myopathy. Not all people with risk factors will get myopathy. Risk factors for myopathy include:

• Certain infections
• Family history of myopathy

Treatment for myopathy begins with seeking medical care from your health care provider. To determine whether you have myopathy, your health care provider will ask you questions and ask you to undergo diagnostic testing. It is important to follow your treatment plan for myopathy precisely and to take all of the medications as instructed.

Treatment options for myopathy will depend on the specific type of condition or disease. Acute conditions such as muscle cramping may need treatment to stabilize electrolyte balance, increase hydration, and reduce inflammation (for example, ice therapy). It also may need immobilization, rest, or anti-inflammatory medicines. Both acquired and inherited chronic myopathies require supportive therapy, such as physical therapy, bracing, or surgery, to decrease inflammation if appropriate, reduce symptoms, and increase function. Pain management may be needed; options include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Immune disorders affecting the muscles may be treated with immunosuppressive drugs to reduce inflammation such as methotrexate or corticosteroids such as prednisone.

Some complementary treatments may help some people to better deal with myopathy. These treatments, sometimes referred to as alternative therapies, are used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments. Complementary treatments are not meant to substitute for full medical care.

Complementary treatments may include:

• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy
• Yoga

Complications of untreated myopathy can be serious. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of myopathy include:

• Chronic muscle pain (myalgia)
• Disability
• Paralysis