Medical Conditions - Dermatomyositis and Glyconutrients
Dermatomyositis is one of a group of muscle diseases (inflammatory myopathies) that involve inflammation of the muscles or associated tissues, the inflammatory cells of the immune system attack the blood vessels that supply muscles and skin. The inflammatory myopathies are a group of muscle diseases that involve inflammation of the muscles or associated tissues, such as the blood vessels that supply the muscles. A myopathy is a muscle disease, and inflammation is a response to cell damage. Another term for inflammatory myopathy is myositis
There are three predominant types of inflammatory myopathy:
- polymyositis. Polymyositis is a disease in which the inflammatory cells of the immune system directly attack muscle fibres.
- dermatomyositis. Dermatomyositis is a disease in which the inflammatory cells attack the small blood vessels that supply muscles and skin.
- inclusion-body myositis. Includion-body myositis is a disease of older people that appears to be partly inflammatory and partly a degenerative muscle disease
The cause of inflammatory myopathy is unclear. For some unknown reason the body's immune system turns against its own muscles and damages muscle tissue in a autoimmune response. It is possible that a virus or certain prescription drugs might be a trigger
Dermatomyositis has characteristic skin manifestations. There is often a severe onset, and it affects both adults and children, with females more affected than males. It is a relatively rare condition with a prevalence of 1-10 cases per million adults and 103 cases per million in children
Dermatomyositis is characterized by a distinctive reddish or purplish rash, rough scaly skin, hard painful calcium nodules under the skin, weakness of the muscles - most commonly those closest to the body trunk eg muscles of the hips, thighs, upper arms, top part of the back, shoulders, and muscles that move the neck. In some cases, muscles further away from the trunk of the body may be affected later in the course of the disease. Some people with dermatomyositis may have problems with swallowing (dysphagia), and possible heart and respiratory problems.
Dermatomyositis is one of several autoimmune diseases that show the same profile -; a lack of dietary sugars - the inability to absorb them - or abnormalities in their structures. For patients with dermatomyositis, glyconutrient supplementation can provide benefits. It seems likely that supplementation with glyconutrients may provide an effective preventative measure for autoimmune diseases. For all people, not just those with dermatomyositis, glyconutrients support the body's ability to heal, repair, regenerate, regulate and protect itself.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this medical condition section is strictly educational and not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of medical disorders, consult your health care professional.