The list of medical symptoms mentioned in various sources for Dermatomyositis may include:
List of 87 Dermatomyositis Symptoms
Note that Dermatomyositis symptoms usually refers to various medical symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Dermatomyositis signs may often refer to those signs that are only noticable by a doctor.
The most common symptom is muscle weakness, usually affecting those muscles that are closest to the trunk of the body (proximal). Eventually, patients have difficulty rising from a sitting position, climbing stairs, lifting objects, or reaching overhead. In some cases, distal muscles (those not close to the trunk of the body) may also be affected later in the course of the disease. Trouble with swallowing (dysphagia) may occur. Very rarely, the muscles ache and are tender to touch. The disease may be associated with other collagen vascular, autoimmune or infectious disorders. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Polymyositis Information Page: NINDS)
Dermatomyositis is characterized by a rash accompanying, or more often, preceding muscle weakness. The rash is described as patchy, bluish-purple discolorations on the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, elbows, knees, knuckles, and back. Some patients may also develop hardened bumps of calcium deposits under the skin. The most common symptom is muscle weakness, usually affecting those muscles that are closest to the trunk of the body (proximal). Eventually, patients have difficulty rising from a sitting position, climbing stairs, lifting objects, or reaching overhead. In some cases, distal muscles (those not close to the trunk of the body) may be affected later in the course of the disease. Trouble with swallowing (dysphagia) may occur. Occasionally, the muscles ache and are tender to touch. Patients may also feel fatigue and discomfort and have weight loss or a low-grade fever. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Dermatomyositis Information Page: NINDS)
More detailed symptom information may be found on the symptoms of Dermatomyositis article. In addition to the above medical information, to get a full picture of the possible signs or symptoms of this condition and also possibly the signs and symptoms of its related medical conditions, it may be necessary to examine symptoms that may be caused by:
These general reference articles may be related to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
The phrase "signs of Dermatomyositis" should, strictly speaking, refer only to those signs and symptoms of Dermatomyositis that are not readily apparent to the patient. The word "symptoms of Dermatomyositis" is the more general meaning; see symptoms of Dermatomyositis.
The signs and symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Dermatomyositis. This medical information about signs and symptoms for Dermatomyositis has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Dermatomyositis signs or Dermatomyositis symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Dermatomyositis may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Dermatomyositis symptoms.
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