Denervation & Myositis
Denervation is an uncomfortable condition that affects the nerves. It can be caused by many things; one cause of denervation can be the effects of myositis on the nerve endings. However, denervation may also be a solution chosen by doctors to ease the pain caused by myositis.
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Denervation
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Denervation occurs when the nerve endings become damaged, causing a lack of feeling in the affected area. Denervation happens for a number of reasons and can also be a deliberate part of surgery designed to stop pain caused by an additional medical problem. It is often used in treatments targeting lower back pain.
Myositis
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When myositis occurs the muscles swell. This can be caused by illness, infection of the muscle and sometimes deficiency in the immune system. Sometimes myositis can cause denervation, as seen in inclusion body myosis, which primarily affects the hands.
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Cause
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Some forms of myositis cause the nerves attached to the muscle fiber to atrophy, meaning that they waste away. This causes a loss of sensation in the affected area. This can cause people to additionally injure the affected area without realizing it.
Inclusion Body Myositis
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Inclusion body myositis is most common in men and women over the age of 50. The muscles of the hands, as well as the arms and legs, become damaged and the fibers of the muscles begin to be denervated. This can cause a loss of feeling in the hands and can cause the feet to drop suddenly, causing falls.
Considerations
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Any unexplained loss of feeling and swelling of the muscles should be of concern, whether or not they occur at the same time. Denervation and myositis can indicate a much worse condition. If you experience either, separately or simultaneously, you should talk to a doctor.
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References
- Photo Credit senior health care image by Pierrette Guertin from Fotolia.com
