It’s one thing to feel tired and devoid of energy from time to time, as we try to meet the many demands of our busy lives.
However, there’s cause for concern if you notice that you’re specifically experiencing muscle fatigue or weakness. This, along with a group of other symptoms, may indicate that you have myopathy, a group of muscle diseases that affects the muscle fibers responsible for your body’s voluntary movements.
There are multiple causes of myopathy, but if you’re diagnosed with the condition, you need expert, consistent treatment. At Houston Neurological Institute, our team of experienced neurologists is ready to provide a customized treatment plan — and if you’re noticing mysterious or unfamiliar muscular symptoms, they’re able to properly diagnose you and recommend treatment.
There are two broad types of myopathy — it’s either inherited or acquired. Some people are born with myopathy, usually due to a genetic mutation that’s passed down by a parent.
Acquired myopathies typically emerge later, and include:
Critical illness myopathy often strikes people who are in the hospital and immobile for a long time, and certain medications that are often used during these types of lengthy hospital stays are contributing factors, too.
You’re at higher risk for being diagnosed with myopathy if you have a history of myopathy in your family, if you’re male, if you’ve been exposed to certain toxins or medications, or if you live with an endocrine, metabolic, or autoimmune disorder.
The symptoms that manifest with myopathy include:
How might these symptoms show up in your everyday life? You may notice you have trouble getting in or out of a chair, climbing stairs, or performing tasks that require you to raise your arms, and you could feel out of breath when you exert yourself. You could also encounter challenges with everyday self-care tasks, like brushing your hair, dressing, or bathing.
At Houston Neurological Institute, your neurologist extensively discusses your symptoms, your overall and neurological health history, and performs a thorough physical examination.
They also order lab tests to check muscle enzyme levels and investigate whether you might be affected by a systemic disease that’s causing muscle weakness and other symptoms.
Electromyography, or EMG testing measures the electrical activity in your nerves and muscles and gives your provider important information about how your muscles and peripheral nervous system (the nerve network outside your brain and spinal cord) are being affected.
Another test your neurologist might recommend is a muscle biopsy, a simple procedure during which a small sample of muscle tissue is taken and tested.
The treatment plan your Houston Neurological Institute neurologist designs for you depends on:
Providers often advise patients to receive a combination of treatments that might include medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy (therapy that helps patients with daily living skills), and speech and swallowing therapy.
Immunosuppressant drug therapies, which keep your immune system from mistakenly attacking healthy cells and tissues, and IVIg (intravenous immunoglobulin) therapy, which are immune system antibodies provided by donors, are also treatment options for some. Fortunately, Houston Neurological Institute has its own infusion center where you can receive these treatments.
The caring and competent Houston Neurological Institute providers are here to diagnose you if you suspect you’re living with myopathy, and they offer advanced treatment if you’ve already received a diagnosis.
Call our Pearland or Pasadena office to schedule an appointment, or book one with us online.
