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Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.

How to show empathy to a sick person?

Often, we find it difficult to talk to a person who is suffering from illness or a condition or we might find to open subject with person’s family.

Some people keep things to themselves and do not expect any such interactions.

For some we can offer support, hope and healing prayers.

Just being physically present with them helps and gives a relief.

How to show empathy to a sick person?

Learn and understanding: If the person has been diagnosed, learn about the condition. Understand what the situation and how the health is. If the person opens about his or her condition, listen to them, understand them. If you don’t know something don’t try to give a statement about topic which you don’t know. Don’t bring your experience or someone else’s condition.
Stay connected: Reach out to the person and family on regular basis and ask them how are they doing. You don’t need to call them every day. Before paying a visit, make sure it is okay to visit the family.
Help: Understand their financial situation, help at home and even grocery shopping. If you are unable to support financially, support them by lending hand in other chores – grocery, cooking, cleaning etc.
Be patient: Do not interrupt or do not say something that does not make any sense. Be patient with person and listen with patience. Showing empathy helps. Encourage to take care and wish speedy recovery.
Encouraging: Encourage and show support. Do not comment about appearance, do not presume outcome. Give hopes in few words and encourage recovery process. Ask what type of support you can provide.
Privacy: Everybody needs privacy. Do not provoke and dig too much into personal matters. If you want to share information with common friends, make sure the family of person who is ill is okay with it.

Every human being goes through difficult time. When we know someone is suffering, instead of talking about it with others, talk to the person and family.

Be sensitive about their feelings and be careful about your choice of words. Help others, be there in difficult times and be kind to one another.

Image courtesy: https://www.emaze.com

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 3, 2022

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Life style choice to improve myositis

One cannot prevent myositis as doctors or experts are not sure what causes it. And there is no specific nutrition diet for myositis except for eating foods that does not trigger the condition. Eating foods that help to feel better is the choice. However, maintain a balanced diet with choice of food that reduces myositis condition is an option.

Do you know? Exercise in the form of Physical Therapy is currently the only treatment recommendation for patients with inclusion body myositis or degenerative muscle condition.

Eat fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C and A. Every meal should have one type of fruit and cooked vegetable.

1. Grains like whole grains, whole wheat bread, Vitamin B6, Zinc, Selenium enriched foods are good.

2. Meat products: Avoid these foods intake.

3. To avoid swallowing problem: Eat soft, moist foods that are easier to swallow. Include liquid food such as smoothies and soups.

4. Dairy products: Go for fat free milk. You can choose plant milk such as almond, soy milk,

5. Omega 3 and 6 fats: Eating these fats helps to reduce the inflammation.

6. Protein intake: Beans and seeds are better option of protein. Eat cashew, pumpkin seed etc.

7. Low salt: Avoid high intake of salt as salt can worsen the condition by increasing muscle pain.

8. Activities: Simple yoga, Pilates and short distance walks are highly recommended to keep muscles active. Stretching body with yoga poses helps to reduce inflammation.

9. Maintain healthy weight with proper nutrient intake to reduce lethargy, tiredness and muscle inflammation.

10. Avoid heat and too hot sun to reduce inflammation. Wear clothes that are comfortable when stepping out in hot sun.

Most importantly, to overcome pain and weakness take plenty of rest. Getting enough rest is an important for managing myositis. Take frequent breaks during the day and limit your activity whenever it is necessary.

Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/back-view-of-a-woman-in-beige-tank-top-7319722/

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 1, 2022

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Diagnosis of Myositis

There are several ways to diagnose myositis:

Blood tests: To see inflammation and damaged muscle tissue.
Anti-nuclear antibody test called ANA: to look for autoantibodies in the blood that attack nucleus portion of the cell.
Extractable nuclear antigens ENA: is another type of autoantibody tests to determine the auto immune disease.
Electromyography: Recording electrical messages in nerve endings that enables muscles to move. Any unusual activities in various muscles due to myositis helps to diagnose the condition.
Muscle biopsy: To check inflammation muscle biopsy helps. It also involves looking for proteins that are responsible for the condition.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Definitely will help to see swollen and inflammation of muscles. MRI also helps to see damaged muscles that are replaced by fat tissue. In addition, MRI picks up images of damaged ligaments, nerves and any problem in bones.

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What are the complications associated with Myositis

Research is still going on regarding this auto immune disorder. Only certain treatment can help to feel better. Myositis apart from common symptoms and problems also associated with certain other complications.

At the start of severe cases muscles used for breathing and swallowing tasks become weak.
Heart muscles become weak resulting in weakening of heart.
Inflammation of lungs results in scarring of lung tissue causing lung fibrosis.
Children with dermatomyositis might develop calcium deposition in damaged muscle causing lesser mobility. It also causes permanent right joints namely contractures.
Lupus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis condition can be provoked.
In rare cases myositis can be associated with cancer – abdomen and pelvic cancer.

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Common problems associated with Myositis

Myositis symptoms can become severe and acute in some cases. These severe conditions could be any or many of the following:

1. Joint pain: Similar to arthritis symptoms patient experience joint pain.

2. Extreme fatigue: Simple walking, standing and small tasks make patient feel exhausted.

3. Limitations in mobility: Sometimes it could cause crippling – difficulty in getting up from chair, hand lifting, difficulty in moving head (due to damaged neck muscle)

4. Restricted day to day activities: Patient unable to perform simple task such as brushing, combing, holding water cup

5. Constant pain: All the time pain in the body – degree of pain might vary each day

6. Problem with certain medications: when taken, certain medication may trigger the condition

7. Breathing difficulties: Swollen muscles make it difficulty in breathing

8. Swallowing difficulties: Chewing and swallowing could be difficult due to weakened and swollen muscles. It could result in heartburn.

9. Restricted social activities: Since we cannot predict the degree of pain, lethargy and low energy makes it impossible to mingle and go about any social mingling.

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How long Myositis lasts?

Myositis can be a short term or long-term condition.

When a person diagnosed with myositis based on what age and how it started, it could last from three to four weeks before patients start feeling better. For some, it can appear every now and then, based on their activities. In several cases it takes many years to subside and disappear.

Proper diagnosis and life style helps to reduce the symptoms and suffering. In case the patient does not receive proper treatment, it could last very long time.

Image credit: Marco Verch Professional Photographer (CC by 0)

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Two main types of Myositis

There are different types of Myositis. The two most common types are polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

Symptoms of dermatomyositis:

Pink or red rash on face, neck, back side, hands, upper arm, thighs and eyelids.
Swelling of the affected area
Coloring and puffiness around eyes
rash is more likely to affect women than men
Sometimes hard tissue builds up under the skin lumps known as calcinosis.

In dermatomyositis, muscle abnormalities may begin with aches and weakness of the muscles of the upper arms, hips, and thighs and upper body. Muscles may be stiff, sore, tender and, eventually, show signs of degeneration.

Polymyositis: Is chronic muscle inflammation accompanied by muscle weakness. Polymyositis affects skeletal muscles. People with polymyositis can experience symptoms of arthritis, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing and speaking, and heart arrhythmias. Sometimes distal muscles such as forearm, ankle, wrists, hips, thighs, shoulders show weakness. It can also be associated with collagen auto immune disease such as lupus of kidney.

Image credit: James Heilman, MD, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

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Autoimmune Condition Myositis – Symptoms, Diagnosis And LifeStyle Options

Few days back, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, a prominent Indian actress in her social media postings revealed that she is suffering from a condition called Myositis. She had also mentioned that she has been suffering from this autoimmune disease from past few months and undergoing treatment.

What exactly is Myositis, when and how it happens and what are symptoms and treatment options?

Myositis means muscle inflammation. It is an auto immune disorder. It is not widely known. It is an aberration f the immune system that damages healthy muscle cells. Person who suffers from the disease will experience tiredness, pain and weakness. Shoulder, hips and thigh muscles are the most affected muscles by this disorder. It can also affect people of all ages including children. Myositis can have negative impact on swallowing and breathing too.

Common symptoms of Myositis: