Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disease most commonly seen in older adults. It typically develops around age 70 and is rarely seen in people younger than 50 years of age.

Symptoms

Symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica result from inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can cause pain and stiffness in the hips, thighs, buttocks, neck, upper arms and shoulders. Other symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica may include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss

In addition, polymyalgia rheumatica may also occur with another serious condition called giant cell arteritis, also known as temporal arteritis, which involves inflammation of the blood vessels. The symptoms of giant cell arteritis are:

The symptoms of giant cell arteritis are:

• Severe headaches
• Tenderness at the temples, the soft part of the head at the side of the eyes
• Pain in the jaw, tongue or side of the face when chewing
• Pain in the scalp
• Blurred or double vision or vision loss

Causes

The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is unknown. Genetics may increase your susceptibility and environmental factors (such as an infection) may trigger it.

Treatment

Rheumatologist diagnose polymyalgia rheumatica and expertly manage its treatment. Treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica focuses on obtaining remission with reducing pain, stiffness, fever, and fatigue.