Myopathy is a general term that refers to diseases that affect the muscles that connect to your bones (skeletal muscles). Myopathies may be passed on in families (inherited) or they may develop later in life (acquired). People living with myopathy may have difficulty performing activities of daily living like bathing, combing their hair or standing up from a chair.
Myopathy refers to diseases that affect skeletal muscles (muscles that connect to your bones). These diseases attack muscle fibers, making your muscles weak.
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Myopathy can be categorized by its cause. Basically, myopathies are separated into two categories: inherited and acquired.
Inherited myopathies are those that you’re born with, often from inheriting an abnormal gene mutation from a parent that causes the disease. Conditions that are inherited myopathies include:
Congenital myopathies
Symptoms of congenital myopathies usually start at birth or in early childhood, but may not appear until the teen years or even later in adulthood. Congenital myopathies are somewhat unique compared with other inherited myopathies, as weakness typically affects all muscles (not just proximal [closest to the center of your body] ones) and is often not progressive.
Mitochondrial myopathies
Mitochondrial myopathy is caused by a defect in the mitochondria, which are the energy-producing part of cells. These conditions have muscle weakness, but also a variety of other symptoms, as mitochondrial disorders typically affect other organ systems like your heart, brain and gastrointestinal tract. Diseases in this group can be caused by gene mutations with or without a family history.
Metabolic myopathies
Defects in genes that code for enzymes that are needed for normal muscle function and movement cause metabolic myopathies. They often show as exercise intolerance, exertional muscle pains in your shoulders and thighs, or non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis (muscle fiber condition). These can also happen with episodes of weakness that come and go with other times of normal strength.
Muscular dystrophies
Muscular dystrophies are characterized by progressive degeneration of muscle tissue due to abnormal or insufficient structural support proteins being present. They all involve your arms and/or legs to varying degrees, and some involve the muscles of your eyes or face.
Acquired myopathies develop later in life and can be due to other medical disorders, infections, exposure to certain medications or electrolyte imbalances, among other possibilities. Conditions that are acquired myopathies include:
Autoimmune/inflammatory myopathy
Autoimmune/inflammatory myopathies are diseases in which your body attacks itself, causing problems with muscle function.
Toxic myopathy
Toxic myopathy happens when a toxin or medication interferes with muscle structure or function.
Endocrine myopathies
Endocrine myopathies happen when hormones interfere with muscle function.
Infectious myopathies
Infectious myopathies occur as the result of infections that affect muscle function. These include:
Electrolyte imbalance
High or low levels of the following electrolytes can interfere with muscle function:
Critical illness myopathy
Critical illness myopathy is a disease of your limbs and the muscles that help you breathe (respiratory muscles). It develops while you’re being cared for in an intensive care unit, and may be caused in part by being in bed for a long period of time (prolonged immobility), or by the medications used during your care, such as muscle relaxants, corticosteroids or sedatives.
Anyone can get a myopathy.
Factors that might increase your risk include:
How common myopathies are depends on their type. In acquired myopathies, for example:
The most common inherited myopathies are muscular dystrophies and these are typically more common in men and people DMAB.
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Many myopathies share common symptoms. These common symptoms include:
Most myopathies share the common symptom of symmetric muscle weakness (similar on both sides of your body), especially in proximal muscles. Proximal muscles are those closest to the center of your body, such as the muscles in your shoulders, upper arms, hips and thighs. This can lead to the following:
The muscles in your hands or feet aren’t usually affected.
Other symptoms vary depending on the type of myopathy.
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You should first contact your primary care doctor to alert them to the symptoms you’re concerned about. Depending on the nature of your symptoms, you might be referred to a specialist such as a neurologist or a rheumatologist.
Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical and family history, prescription drug history and your symptoms. Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam, which will include an exam of your skin, reflexes, muscle strength, balance, and sensation.
Tests your healthcare provider may order include:
After determining your specific type of myopathy, your healthcare provider will develop a treatment plan specific to your symptoms.
Most treatments include physical therapy, occupational therapy and some form of exercise. Other treatments are more specific and based on the type of myopathy. In general, most acquired myopathies can be well controlled and treated to minimize weakness and symptoms. Some inherited myopathies have specific treatments that can stop the progression of the disease. At the present time, most inherited myopathies don’t have specific treatments, but people can benefit from physical therapy and certain types of exercise.
The goal of treatment is to decrease inflammation and your body’s autoimmune response. These myopathies are often treated with:
Most inherited and genetic myopathies don’t have a specific treatment or cure. Management is largely based on symptom control and different forms of therapy. There are multiple ongoing clinical trials in various areas of research looking at treatments and gene therapy.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Pompe disease are disorders that can be treated with specific medication.
Healthcare providers manage acquired myopathies including endocrine, toxic and infectious myopathies by treating the underlying disease causing the myopathy. Toxin-related myopathies are treated by stopping the offending agent (alcohol or toluene, for example) or medication (statins, for example). Muscle symptoms that result from infections caused by bacteria, viruses or other infectious organisms are improved by treating the infection directly with antibiotics.
Although myopathy is a long-term (chronic) disease whether inherited or acquired, you can take steps to improve your health to help control your illness. These might include:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Since there are many types of myopathies, your healthcare provider has to put together a treatment approach specific to your myopathy and its symptoms. So, it’s important to closely follow the instructions of your healthcare provider. Also, be aware of your body. Make a note of any changes in your disease and the severity of your symptoms. See your healthcare provider at regularly scheduled intervals (or sooner if you notice changes) so adjustments in your treatment plan can be made early when symptoms arise.
Last reviewed on 01/20/2022.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy