NINDS Myopathy Information Page: NINDS

Article title: NINDS Myopathy Information Page: NINDS
Main condition: Myopathy
Conditions: Myopathy

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.

What research is being done?
The NINDS supports and conducts an extensive research program on neuromuscular disorders such as the myopathies. Much of this research is aimed at increasing scientific understanding of these disorders, and finding ways to prevent, treat, and cure them.

Organizations

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 31, Rm. 4C05
Bethesda, MD 20892-2350
NIAMSInfo@mail.nih.gov
http://www.nih.gov/niams
Tel: 301-496-8188 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267)

Muscular Dystrophy Association
3300 East Sunrise Drive
Tucson, AZ 85718-3208
mda@mdausa.org
http://www.mdausa.org/
Tel: 520-529-2000 800-572-1717
Fax: 520-529-5300

Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy (MD) information sheet compiled by NINDS.

Mitochondrial Myopathies
Mitochondrial myopathies information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis information sheet compiled by NINDS.

Inclusion Body Myositis
Inclusion Body Myositis (Inflammatory Myopathy) information sheet compiled by NINDS.

This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.Provided by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

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