The German Society for Rheumatology said that polymyalgia rheumatica is an autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease, in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. It is also known as inflammatory soft tissue rheumatism or myalgia rheumatica.
Genetic factors and external influences
The association explained that the causes of rheumatic muscle pain are not known exactly, but doctors believe that it is due to genetic factors and external influences such as infection, noting that it mostly affects the elderly, especially women.
Symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica include muscle pain (especially in the shoulder, neck, and pelvic girdle area), morning stiffness of muscles and joints, and general discomfort such as fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and depressed mood.
dire consequences
A doctor should be consulted immediately upon noticing these symptoms to avoid the serious consequences that may result from polymyalgia rheumatica, as the patient may suffer from what is known as giant cell arteritis, i.e. inflammation of large and medium-sized arteries, especially the temporal arteries, which manifests itself in severe headaches, jaw pain when chewing, and visual disturbances.
If left untreated, this inflammation can lead to blindness and life-threatening complications such as strokes.
Rheumatic muscle pain is treated with medications such as cortisone, in addition to physical therapy.