Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Polymyositis

Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that causes two characteristic symptoms: dry mouth and dry eyes. Many individuals with Sjogren's syndrome also have another autoimmune disorder like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Because it's so common for patients with autoimmune disorders to develop more than one disorder, the chances of developing polymyositis if they have Sjogren's syndrome are high. Sjogren's syndrome causes an individual's moisture-secreting glands and mucous membranes to be damaged and cease functioning as well. This means they'll produce less saliva and fewer tears. While the disease can occur at any age, the majority of patients are over forty years old at the first onset. Women are much more susceptible to the disease. While the tears and saliva are the first glands targeted by the immune system, other parts of the body can become damaged, including the nerves, skin, lungs, liver, kidneys, thyroid, and joints. Some patients may experience swelling in their joints, skin rashes, a swelling in their salivary glands, or vaginal dryness.

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Aspiration Pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia is a potentially fatal complication from polymyositis. This complication most often occurs when individuals have weakness in the muscles throughout their esophagus, which is responsible for helping them swallow. Muscle weakness can make swallowing more difficult, which can lead individuals to aspirate liquids into their lungs. Aspiration can occur even when individuals aren't drinking anything, as it's possible to aspirate saliva. Any buildup of fluid in the lungs has the potential to cause pneumonia. The liquid or food patients aspirate might have bacteria attached that attack their lungs. The lungs of a healthy individual will clear themselves normally. But patients with polymyositis and other conditions may not be able to fight off the bacteria, which is what leads to pneumonia. One early indication of aspiration pneumonia is that an affected individual coughs wetly or has to clear their throat excessively after they eat. Foul-smelling coughing, excessive sweating, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and blueness of the skin caused by oxygen deprivation are also characteristic symptoms.

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