Do you know what PMR or polymyalgia rheumatica is?
It is an inflammatory disorder which can cause muscle aches and stiffness mostly affecting the shoulders, neck, upper arms, hips and thighs. These symptoms can develop gradually in some people but can also appear overnight in others. The causes are not exactly known but it may be a faulty immune system, genetic or environmental factors of simply a facet of aging. It may go away on its own within a year or two, however, there self-care techniques as well as medications that can be used to treat PMR instead. The symptoms of PMR include: • Mild to severe stiffness or aching in the muscles of the thighs, shoulders, hips, upper arms and the neck. • Fatigue • Unexpected or unintentional weight loss • Weakness or malaise • A slight fever (may not be present in all cases) • Anemia The pain that you feel may start in only one side of the body but may affect both sides as the disease progresses. It is usually worse after lying down for long periods, and the pain may be severe enough to wake you
