Myopathy Information Page
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What is Myopathy?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What is Myopathy?
Myopathy is a general term referring to any disease of muscles. Myopathies can be acquired or inherited, and can occur at birth or later in life. The muscular dystrophies are examples of myopathies. General symptoms of myopathy include weakness of limbs, usually proximal (located close to the center of the body). Some individuals report that their myopathy emerges during exercise. In some cases, the symptoms diminish as exercise increases. Depending upon the type of myopathy, one muscle group may be more affected than another. In some instances, individuals have myopathy but report no symptoms. In the inherited myopathies, some family members may be unaffected, while other family members may have a range of symptoms. Myopathy can result from endocrine disorders, metabolic disorders, infection or inflammation of the muscle, certain drugs, and mutations in genes.
Is there any treatment?
Treatments for myopathy vary depending on the type. Supportive and symptomatic treatment may be the only treatment available or necessary in some cases. Treatment for other forms may include drug therapy, such as immunosuppressives, physical therapy, bracing, and surgery.
What is the prognosis?
The prognosis for individuals with a myopathy varies. Some individuals have a normal life span and little or no disability. For others, however, the disorder may be progressive, severely disabling, life-threatening, or fatal.
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