Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the muscles, especially around the shoulders, neck, hips, and thighs. The name comes from “poly” meaning many, and “myalgia” meaning muscle pain. It usually affects people over the age of 50, with most cases occurring in those over 70, and it is more common in women than men. The pain and stiffness often develop quickly, sometimes within a week or two, and can be severe enough to make everyday activities like dressing, washing, or climbing stairs difficult.
The stiffness is typically worse in the morning and can last for at least 30 minutes or more. Unlike normal muscle aches after exercise, PMR pain is widespread and persistent. People with PMR may also feel generally unwell, tired, and may experience mild fever, loss of appetite, or weight loss. The condition is linked to inflammation, which can be detected through blood tests showing raised markers like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP).
PMR is sometimes associated with another serious condition called giant cell arteritis (GCA), which affects the arteries and can cause headaches, tenderness around the temples, jaw pain when chewing, and even vision problems. Because of this risk, early diagnosis and treatment are important.
Doctors usually diagnose PMR based on symptoms and blood tests, and treatment often involves corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. The exact cause of PMR is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve the immune system mistakenly attacking the body’s own tissues.
Sources
https://www.arthritis-uk.org/media/23096/polymyalgia-rheumatica-information-booklet.pdf
https://www.planetayurveda.com/library/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr/
https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica
https://www.rheumatologyadvisor.com/news/secukinumab-looks-promising-for-polymyalgia-rheumatica/
https://smart.dhgate.com/how-to-diagnose-polymyalgia-rheumatica-a-comprehensive-guide-for-early-detection/
https://clinicaltrials.eu/disease/polymyalgia-rheumatica/
