What Is Myositis, The Condition Samantha Is Diagnosed With?

ABSTRACT

Autoimmune Condition is a word which includes various health conditions. In these conditions there is one common thing, the body's own immune system starts attacking its own healthy cells. As we all know the immune system is the thing that guards our body from any kind of infection, disease, etc. Its main function is to recognise the foreign body and kill it. But in case of autoimmune conditions the body's own immune system starts attacking its own cells. Some of these conditions attack only one part of the body such as in type 1 diabetes the immune cells target the pancreas only and some conditions such as lupus affects the whole body. Today in this article we are  going to discuss a condition named Myositis that is one among the autoimmune conditions. Let’s have a look!!!

INTRODUCTION

Samantha a south Indian actress made a clear point in front of everyone on social media that she is diagnosed with a condition of Myositis. She shared how she is recovering from the condition and also mentioned that the condition was diagnosed a few months back. Myositis is a chronic and progressive inflammation of the muscles and some of its types are associated with skin rashes. This is a rare condition and is difficult to diagnose, even the cause also remains unknown sometimes. Symptoms start appearing gradually as the time passes. The primary symptoms of Myositis include soreness, muscle pain, trouble swallowing, fatigue and difficulty while breathing. In the US, estimated new cases per year are 1600 - 3200. It can affect both generations whether children and adults. In gender ratio women get more affected than men. This is some brief introduction about Myositis, let’s take a look at the condition in detail as below!!!!

SOME FACTS ABOUT MYOSITIS

Following are facts about myositis that one must know:

• Myositis is an autoimmune condition.
• In the US there are more than 50,000 people affected but the diagnosis is clear in only 7000 people.
• Usually the diagnosis is made clear between the ages of 45 to 64.
• Types of Myositis affect men and women very unequally.
• African Americans are more prone to Myositis than other races.

CAUSES OF MYOSITIS

There is no specific one cause of Myositis and is considered as one of the autoimmune conditions which makes our own body cells to attack the muscles. In most cases it is difficult to find the cause. Commonly this is to be noticed that an infection or injury is one of the causes. Some of researches clear that following are some of the causes of Myositis:

• Autoimmune conditions such as Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis
• HIV, flu or common cold like viruses
• Drug toxicity

TYPES AND SYMPTOMS OF MYOSITIS

Myositis is of 5 types which includes:

Juvenile Myositis

This is a type of Myositis which occurs only in children that are under the age of 18. Girls affect more than boys. The main characteristic feature is the same as that of other types of Myositis that is skin rashes and Muscle weakness. Other symptoms of Juvenile myositis includes:

• Irritability or moodiness
• Fatigue
• Reddish purple or visible rashes over the joints or eyelids 
• Trouble while lifting head
• Stomach ache
• Difficulty in performing motor functions like climbing trees, getting dressed up, standing up from a sitting position.
• Face trouble while lifting the head
• Muscle weakness

Dermatomyositis

This type of myositis is easy to diagnose due to the clearly seeing rashes over the skin with purple or reddish color. These rashes develop over the skin of face, eyelids, neck, chest, toes and knees. Muscle weakness follows the following symptoms:

• Dry, rough and scaly skin. 
• Fatigue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness in voice 
• Hard calcium lumps under the skin
• Inflammation in joints
• Abnormality in nail bed
• Irregular heartbeat
• Ulceration in GI tract

Polymyositis

This type of myositis begins with muscle weakness closely to the site of the trunk and then expands to the sides. Each case of this Myositis is unique and usually found with various autoimmune conditions. Following are various symptoms of Polymyositis:

• Muscle pain 
• Muscle weakness
• Falling
• Chronic dry cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Thickening of the hand skin
• Hoarse voice
• Weight loss
• Fever

Inclusion Body Myositis

This kind of Myositis commonly occurs in Men rather than women. Most people who are above the age of 50 develop this condition. This condition begins with the weakness of the muscles in the fingers and wrists. This condition affects the small muscles and commonly affects one side of the body. Inclusion body Myositis is believed to be a genetic condition.  Following are some of the symptoms of IBM:

• Frequent falls
• Reduced deep tendon reflexes
• Loss of balance 
• Weak hand grip
• Muscle weakness and pain

Toxic Myositis

Toxic Myositis is caused by a result of various drugs and medications. Following are various medications that can cause Toxic Myositis:

• Cholesterol lowering medications
• Cocaine
• Omeprazole
• Certain immunosuppressants
• Adalimumab
• Toluene

The symptoms of this condition are similar to those of other types of Myositis, symptoms of this condition usually stops when one stops taking these medications.

DIAGNOSIS OF MYOSITIS

Usually this condition gets misdiagnosed and rarely a clear diagnosis is made with the person having Myositis. The reason behind its misdiagnosis are - it is a rare condition and the primary symptoms include fatigue and muscle weakness. Following steps to be taken by the physician to diagnose this condition: 

• Physical examination
• Electromyography
• Muscle biopsy
• Nerve conduction study
• MRI
• Genetic testing
• Antinuclear antibody muscle test

AYURVEDIC VIEW OF MYOSITIS

As we discussed earlier this condition includes inflammation of the muscles and as per Ayurveda this condition is correlated to Mamsagata Vata Vyadi. The Cause of mamsagata Vyadhi is considered the same as that of any Vata Vyadhi. The causes include cold food, dry food, food in less quantity, awakening late at night, excessive running, excessive exercising, excessive stress, depletion of tissues, trauma, accident, and all other causes that may lead to vata dosha aggravation.

Samanya lakshana mamsagata Vyadhi - Heaviness in body, pricking pain all over the body, pain like fist blow, generalised bodyache, fatigue, etc.

Line of treatment for Mamsagata Vyadhi - The line of treatment for the mamsagata vata Vyadhi is to perform snehana all over the body, then Niruha Basti prayog and at last Shamana Chikitsa.

• Snehana - Snehana is known as Oleation Therapy which is one of the most important therapies of Panchkarma. In this procedure medicated oil or ghee is applied over the affected area or used for internal administration. In Mamsagata Vata Vyadhi Erand Oil, Sesame oil, Cow Ghee, etc are used for Snehana Karma. 
• Niruha Basti - The meaning of Niruha is to eliminate so Niruha Basti is named after Niruha because it has cleansing effect and is also known as cleansing enema. In Niruha basti decoction of herbs is used that is why it is also known as Kashaya Basti. Usually Vachadi Lekhan Basti is used in the case of Mamsagata Vata vyadhi.

Classical Ayurvedic Medications used in the line of treatment of Mamsagata Vata vyadhi - Sinhnaad Guggul, Agni tundi vati, Panchkol Churna, Rasraj Ras, Snehana with Erand oil, etc.

HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR MYOSITIS

Planet Ayurveda is a company which has been working for 20 years as the aim of Ayurveda. This company formulates supplements that are made up of pure herbs as well as pure minerals. All these supplements are prepared under the guidance of M.D Ayurveda Doctors. Formulations not only help in alleviating the diseases but also assists in maintaining the health of the healthy person. All the products are free from any kind of added preservatives, chemicals, resins, gums, etc, that’s the reason behind they are free from any kind of side effects. For managing the symptoms of Myositis following common formulations are listed by Planet Ayurveda. Let’s see how these formulations assist in managing the symptoms of Myositis!!!!

PRODUCTS LIST

1. Rumogin 5 Capsules
2. Boswellia Curcumin
3. Musli Strength Capsules
4. Yograj Guggul
5. Aamvatantak Churna

Herbal Remedies for Myositis

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. Rumogin 5 Capsules

Rumogin 5 capsules is a polyherbal capsule formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda. These capsules are made up of standardized extract of herbs like haridra (Curcuma longa), shallaki (Boswellia serrata), maricha (Piper nigrum), etc. As we read earlier Myositis is one of the autoimmune conditions that is correlated to the concept of Ama dosha in Ayurveda. Rumogin 5 capsules are best in eliminating ama dosha from the body. Thus these capsules effectively help in the management of symptoms of myositis.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Boswellia Curcumin

Boswellia Curcumin are the capsules prepared by Planet Ayurveda with the help of standardized extract of haridra (Curcuma longa) and shallaki (Boswellia serrata). Both the herbs consist of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As free radical accumulation exists in case of myositis thus these capsules eliminate the free radicals from the body. Also in Myositis the main thing happens is inflammation of the muscles thus the anti-inflammatory effect of this remedy is very helpful in reducing the inflammation of the muscles.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

3. Musli Strength Capsules

These are the capsules prepared by Planet Ayurveda for providing strength to the body. The formulation consists of standardized extract of two herbs Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) and Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris). As we read earlier muscle weakening is one of the main characteristic features in case of Myositis. Musli strength capsules as the name suggests, provide strength to the muscles thus providing relief from the muscle wasting and muscle pain. This also assists in managing various symptoms of Myositis such as weight loss, fatigue, frequent falls, etc.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Yograj Guggul

Yograj guggul is one of the classical Ayurvedic formulations. This formulation is prepared by planet Ayurveda under the strict guidance of M.D. ayurveda practitioners. These are tablets and made up of ingredients like guggul (Commiphora mukul), Bibhitaki (Terminalia billerica), vidang (Embelia ribes), marich (Piper nigrum) and various others. This is one of the best ayurvedic remedies for pacifying vata dosha. As in this condition vata dosha vitiate mamsa dhatu, this remedy by pacifying vata dosha assists in managing this condition.

Dosage: 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.

5. Aamvatantak Churna

Aamvatantak Churna is a herbal powder especially formulated by Planet Ayurveda for various autoimmune conditions. This herbal powder is made up of powder of various herbs like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), methi (Trigonella foenum graecum), gorakhmundi (Sphaeranthus indicus), etc. Aamvatantak as the name suggests is the remedy that assists in eliminating the Ama dosha. As we read earlier this condition originates as the accumulation of Ama dosha and aggravation of vata dosha thus by eliminating ama  dosha and pacifying vata doshaAamvatantak Churna assists in managing the symptoms of Myositis.

Dosage: ½ tsp twice daily with plain water after meals.

CONCLUSION

Autoimmune Condition is a word which includes various health conditions. In these conditions there is one common thing, the body's own immune system starts attacking its own healthy cells. One of such conditions is Myositis, a chronic and progressive inflammation of the muscles and some of its types are associated with skin rashes. There is no specific cause of this condition, some of the autoimmune conditions like arthritis, lupus can lead to this condition. As per Ayurveda this condition is correlated to Mamsagata Vata Vyadhi. The line of treatment for mamsagata vata vyadhi is snehana, niruha basti and shamana chikitsa. Plane Ayurveda provides various remedies that effectively manage the symptoms of Myositis. You can consume these remedies for managing your symptoms without thinking of its side effects, as these remedies are free from any kind of added  preservatives and synthetic materials.