Myopathy Symptoms

Myopathy is a muscle disease that is characterized by muscle weakness. This is a disease that is classified under neuromuscular or musculoskeletal diseases. There are different types of myopathy and the symptoms depend on the type. We shall have a look at the general symptoms and then move on to the specific symptoms of myopathy related to the types.

Following are different types of myopathy:

Congenital Myopathy

• Muscular Dystrophy
• Myotonia
• Neuromyotonia
• Nemaline myopathy
• Multi-minicore disease

• Myotubular myopathy
• Mitochondrial myopathy
• Familial periodic paralysis
• Inflammatory myopathy
• Metabolic myopathies

Acquired Myopathy

• Dermatomyositis
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Polymyositis
• Inclusion body myositis
• Ischemic cardiomyopathy
• Myositis ossificans

• Statin-induced myopathy
• Infection-induced myopathy, like viral cardiomyopathy
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Alcoholic cardiomyopathy

Myopathy is a muscular disease. Thus, the symptoms typically involve decrease in movement and function of muscles and muscle fibers. The symptoms vary from patient to patient. A few people experience very mild symptoms, while a few others experience debilitating symptoms. The symptoms of this condition should not be ignored as they can lead to death.

The common symptoms generally involve muscle weakness. People mostly experience muscle cramps that are very painful. The muscles become weak and are wasted. In some cases, the muscles become conspicuously enlarged. This weakness forces the joints to become unbalanced, and thus, leads to restricted joint movements.

Restricted movement causes joint deformities and stiffness. Apart from muscle weakness, stiffness, cramps, other symptoms include myotonia. This is the inability of the muscles to relax. In rare cases, it leads to McArdle's syndrome and periodic paralysis.

The symptoms of mitochondrial myopathy may vary from mild to severe. This is a rare neuromuscular disease that has no cure till date. There are many diseases and disorders associated with this condition.

The most common symptom is muscle weakness. Other symptoms include:

• Cataracts
• Diabetes
• Ataxia
• Loss of hearing
• Stunted growth
• Blindness, in severe cases
• Ptosis and reduced ability to move eyeballs
• Seizures

Other specific mitochondria symptoms include:

Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like Syndrome (MELAS)

• Cognitive impairment and dementia
• Strokes
• Deafness
• Dysmotility
• Weight loss
• Lactic acidosis
• Transient ischemic attacks

Myoclonic Epilepsy and Ragged-Red Fibers (MERRF)

• Stunted growth
• Diseased mitochondria accumulate in muscle fibers appearing like 'ragged-red fibers'.
• Progressive myoclonic epilepsy

Kearns-Sayre Syndrome (KSS)

• Sensorineural hearing loss
• External ophthalmoplegia
• Cardiac conduction defects

Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO)

• Progressive ophthalmoparesis

The skeletal muscle myopathy symptoms are characterized by muscle weakness. The weakness in muscle occurs in areas like shoulders, upper arms, thighs, and proximal muscles. When the disease reaches an advanced stage, the muscles of the hands and feet are also involved.

In case of paramyotonia congenita, and myotonia, the muscles tend to become enlarged and are not able to relax after contraction. Other symptoms include:

• Muscle pain
• Muscle cramps
• Stiffness
• Tender muscles
• Muscle tightness
• Muscle fatigue after light walking or similar light physical activity
• Muscle wasting

This disease is caused by statin medication. These medications are used to treat high cholesterol in the body. The symptoms include muscle pain, muscle weakness, muscle inflammation, and pink, red, or brown urine. In severe cases, it may lead to rhabdomyolysis.

Steroids are drugs that can lead to myopathy, especially corticosteroids. This symptoms of steroid-induced myopathy can be chronic or acute. The chronic symptoms include proximal muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, etc. As the disease progresses it spreads to distal muscles. In case of acute symptoms, it includes generalized muscle weakness and muscle pain.

There is no specific treatment for myopathy as it affects different pathways in the body. However, there are drugs, physical therapies, braces, surgery, etc., available that help reduce the severity of the disease.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.