YOUR HEALTH
Shedding light on a dimly lit subject-polymyositis
DR. DONOHUE

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My mother was recently struck down by what her doctor says is polymyositis. I had to take her to the emergency room, and they kept her in the hospital for five days. She was released to a convalescent center. She has regained some strength in her arms, but her lower half remains weak. Could you shed some light on polymyositis? -- G.B.Y.

ANSWER: Polymyositis (POL-ee-MY-oh-SITE-iss) is a somewhat uncommon illness where many (the "poly" of polymyositis) muscles (the "myo" of polymyositis) are inflamed (the "itis" of polymyositis). It can strike at any age, but there are two age peaks for it. One occurs between the ages of 7 and 15, and the other between 30 and 50.

The cause has eluded discovery, but there is strong evidence that the immune system is inappropriately involved in an assault on muscles. Genes are also implicated, and most likely some environmental trigger plays a role.

Usually the illness creeps up on a person gradually. Muscle weakness is the hallmark symptom, and the weakness can become so profound that people cannot rise from a chair, climb stairs or reach up to their head to comb their hair.

The physical symptoms strongly suggest the illness. Finding strange antibodies -- the work of the immune system -- in the blood adds more evidence for the diagnosis.

When the skin is involved, the condition is called dermatomyositis.

Prednisone, one of the cortisone drugs, is the medicine most often used in treating this disease. Cortisone drugs are the most powerful anti-inflammatory medicines available. Sometimes additional medicines that have a direct effect on the immune system are added.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a constantly high pulse, ranging from 80 to 100 beats a minute. I am 79 years old. My internist is not concerned. Should I be, and should I consult a cardiologist? -- M.K.

ANSWER: One hundred is still considered a normal heart rate (pulse). "Normal" ranges between 60 and 100 while at rest. If you have no symptoms -- dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue -- you can believe your internist.

Only if the matter is of great worry to you should you seek out a specialist. That's more for peace of mind than for health.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I applied for a job with a company that requires a urine specimen for drug testing. I smoke marijuana occasionally. How long does it take marijuana to leave the body so that it's not detected in the urine? -- R.Z.

ANSWER: That depends on how many cigarettes you smoke and the period of time you smoke them in. For a rare user, the urine clears of traces of marijuana in three days. If a person is a four-time-a-week user, it takes five to seven days for the urine to test negative. A daily user has to abstain for up to 15 days before the urine is free of the drug. For a heavy user, it can take a full month before the urine is clear.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com. 2006 North America Syndicate Inc. All Rights Reserved