How Do You Diagnose Polymyalgia?
Polymyalgia, also known as polymyalgia rheumatica, is a serious form of rheumatoid arthritis. Sufferers of this inflammatory condition typically experience symptoms for as long as two years. In order to effectively treat polymyalgia, you need to have the condition diagnosed. Assess your age. Younger adults rarely suffer from polymyalgia. Most sufferers are over the age of 65 when they become symptomatic. Notice typical arthritis symptoms. The main symptom of this condition is stiffness and pain in the joints and muscles of the body. You feel the discomfort in areas such as the hips, shoulders and neck. Report your additional symptoms. Polymyalgia can also cause a person to feel overly tired, weak and anemic. There have also been reports of a slight fever and sudden weight loss. Set up an appointment with your physician to get your diagnosis confirmed. Make sure to provide your medical history to the physician. Allow for blood testing. A sed rate blood test can let a physician know if t