Samantha Ruth Prabhu has myositis: 6 signs of this autoimmune disease that can be mistaken for normal fatigue and weakness |
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s decision to speak about her myositis diagnosis has brought attention to an autoimmune condition that many people may not recognise until muscle weakness begins affecting everyday life. Myositis causes inflammation in the muscles when the immune system mistakenly targets healthy muscle tissue. The symptoms can creep in slowly, making them easy to blame on stress, poor sleep, overwork or ageing.
Weakness while climbing stairs or standing up
One of the most telling signs is weakness that changes what the body can comfortably do. Climbing stairs, getting up from a chair, lifting the arms or carrying something may suddenly feel harder.Dr (Col) Vijay Dutta, Director, Internal Medicine & Respiratory Services, ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, similarly explained that the common symptoms include “fatigue, muscle weakness, pain in the muscles, inability to climb stairs, stand up, lift things or even do basic daily tasks.”
Everyday tasks start feeling unusually difficult
Myositis does not necessarily begin with severe pain. Sometimes, the first clue is simply losing strength during activities that once felt effortless.This is important because muscle weakness can gradually become part of a person’s routine before they realise something has changed.
Fatigue continues despite adequate rest
Everyone experiences tiredness. The concern arises when fatigue keeps returning without an obvious reason, particularly when it comes with weakness.Dr Dutta explained that “the greatest difficulty in myositis is that the symptoms can develop slowly and be confused with normal tiredness, stress, lack of exercise or ageing.”At the same time, fatigue alone should not trigger panic. The pattern matters more than one isolated episode.
Muscle aches accompany the weakness
Muscle pain or aching can occur with myositis. It can easily be mistaken for soreness after exercise or physical work. These symptoms do not confirm myositis on their own, but their persistence warrants medical attention.
Swallowing becomes difficult
Some forms of myositis can affect muscles involved in swallowing. Difficulty swallowing, especially alongside muscle weakness, should therefore not be brushed aside.Dr Dutta noted that “depending on the type of myositis, some people may also have trouble swallowing, shortness of breath or skin symptoms.”A new or persistent swallowing problem has several possible causes, so proper medical assessment is essential rather than self-diagnosis.
Shortness of breath appears
Breathlessness can have many causes, but it becomes more important when it occurs with unexplained muscle weakness or other symptoms. Certain forms of myositis can also involve the lungs, making unexplained breathing difficulty worth discussing with a doctor.
How is myositis diagnosed and treated?
A symptom alone cannot diagnose myositis. Doctors consider the medical history and physical examination and may use blood tests, imaging and other investigations.Treatment depends on the type and severity of disease. It may involve medicines, steroids, therapies and physiotherapy. Dr Dutta said, “Many patients can control their symptoms with treatment, lifestyle adjustments, physiotherapy and routine medical supervision.”He also stressed that staying active can help, but “this exercise should be carefully planned.”Samantha’s experience has helped put a rare condition into public conversation. The bigger lesson is not to label persistent weakness as ordinary tiredness without checking why it is happening.Medical experts consultedThis article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by:Dr (Col) Vijay Dutta, Director, Internal Medicine & Respiratory Services, ISIC Multispeciality Hospital.Inputs were used to explain how the early signs of myositis can be mistaken for normal fatigue and weakness, and why persistent or unexplained symptoms should be medically evaluated.
