Myositis (Muscle Aches)

Although there are many variations and manifestations of myositis, the most common diagnoses involving inflammation of muscles are the two inflammatory myopathies: dermatomyositis and polymyositis. Both involve progressive, proximal, symmetric weakness of muscles, but dermatomyositis differs because of the development of specific skin rashes on the eyelids and joints. The prevalence of these disorders ranges from 2 to 33 per 100,000 people.¹

The symptoms and signs of these inflammatory myopathies include:

• Muscle weakness, usually of shoulder and hip, making it difficult to lift objects, comb hair, or get up from chair
• Weakness of neck muscles
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fatigue
• Morning stiffness
• Cardiac and pulmonary involvement in 40-50% of patients (arrhythmias, heart failure, and interstitial lung disease)
• Skin rashes in dermatomyositis

The causes of myositis are multifactorial:

• Inflammatory myositis are immune-mediated and involve auto-antibodies which attack our own muscles
• Viruses such as coxsackie, influenza, Epstein Barr, herpes, HIV
• Medications such as statins and steroids
• Medical conditions such hyperthyroidism
• Alcohol use
• Electrolyte abnormalities
• Low nutrient, highly processed diet with excessive animal products contribute to oxidative stress and cellular toxicity

Diet

• A Nutritarian diet will provide an array of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, which aid in cellular repair, up-regulates detoxification, and decreases oxidative stress and inflammation. With strict adherence to a Nutritarian diet, I have seen many patients resolve their myositis.
• Avoiding animal products is important in most patients with autoimmune diseases.¹ Some patients also do better with lower amounts of fructose and avoiding gluten and beans. Squashes, intact non-gluten grain, and other high starch vegetables should be the main source of calories.
• Green-based vegetable juices with added carrot and beet, as well as large green salads daily are important.
• Consuming nuts and seeds, as well as supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA-EPA Purity or purified fish oil, can help decrease inflammation. Sometimes, high dose fish oil and high dose probiotics can be helpful for these patients, and a trial of such is indicated.
• After the initial 3 months, most patients on long-term steroids should be able to be slowly weaned off over months by their physicians, and then the focus should be on rebuilding muscle and bone (the prevention of osteoporosis) by ensuring adequate Vitamin D levels and performing weight bearing daily exercises. See my Osteoporosis Protection for Life video.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is helpful in preventing and contractures in diagnosed patients.