Dermatomyositis (patient information)

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How do I know if I have dermatomyositis and what are the symptoms of dermatomyositis?

The most common signs and symptoms of dermatomyositis include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Muscle weakness, stiffness, or soreness, appearing suddenly or developing slowly over weeks or months.
• Purple or violet colored upper eyelids
• Purple-red skin rash over the face, knuckles, neck, shoulders, upper chest, and back.
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue and weight loss
• Fever
• Gastrointestinal ulcers and intestinal perforations in children

Who is at risk for dermatomyositis?

The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown. Researches demonstrate that it is associated with autoimmune disorders.

How to know you have dermatomyositis?

• Medical history and physical examination
• Blood test: Blood tests such as creatine kinase (CK) and aldolase may help diagnose dematomyositis. Patients with dematomyositis may show increased CK and aldolase levels, indicating muscle damage.
• Electromyography: During this procedure, the doctor inserts a thin needle electrode into the muscle and measure electrical activities when the patient relaxs or tightens the muscle.The doctor can identify a muscle disease by analysing these electrical activities.
• Muscle biopsy: During this procedure, the doctor removes a small piece of muscle tissue surgically and detects in the pathological lab. Under microscope, tissues of patients with dermatomyositis may demonstrate that inflammatory cells surround and damage the capillary blood vessels in the muscle.
• Muscle MRI: This image can detect subtle muscle inflammation and swelling early in the disease.
• Skin biopsy: The goal of skin biopsy is to identify the diagnosis of dermatomyositis and rule out other disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus. During this procedure, the doctor removes a small piece of skin tissue surgically and detects in the pathological lab.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if symptoms of dermatomyositis develop.

Diseases with similar symptoms

• Hypothyroidism
• Sarcoidosis

Where to find medical care for dermatomyositis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating dermatomyositis

Copyleft Sources

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dermatomyositis/dermatomyositis.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/dermatomyositis/DS00335/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332783-overview

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dermatomyositis/ds00335

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000839.htm