Myasthenia Gravis - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

What is Myasthenia Gravis?

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. It occurs when normal communication between the nerve and muscle is interrupted at the neuromuscular junction, the place where nerve cells connect with the muscles they control.

Types of Myasthenia Gravis

There are three types of Myasthenia Gravis is :

1. Congenital Myasthenia Gravis.
2. Transient neonatal Myasthenia Gravis.
3. Juvenile Myasthenia Gravis.

Causes of Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia Gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve signals to muscles. Normally, nerve endings release a substance called acetylcholine that binds or attaches to receptors on the muscle. This leads to muscle contractions. In MG, the body's own immune system produces antibodies that block this transmission.

Sings and Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis

It can affect voluntary muscles in your body. Certain muscles including those of the eyes, face, legs and arms are mostly affected by this disorder.

Other sign and symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis is :

• Problems in vision such as double vision.
• Weakness of muscles in legs and arms.
• Weakness of muscles including those of the face.
• Difficulty in talking, swallowing, breathing and chewing.
• Excessive fatigue.

Diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis

1. Edrophonium test.
2. Blood test.
3. Neurological examination.
4. Single-fiber electromyography and nerve condition studies.
5. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Mittelschmerz Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis

The treatment of Myasthenia Gravis is :

Medications - anticholinesterase medications, such as Prostigmin or Tensilon; steroids; and/or immunosuppressive (suppress the immune system's response) medications may be used.

Thymectomy - surgical removal of the thymus gland. The role of the thymus gland in MG is not fully understood, and the thymectomy may or may not improve symptoms. However, thymectomy reduces symptoms in more than 70 percent of patients who do not have cancer of the thymus, possibly by altering the immune system response, according to the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders.

Plasmapheresis - a procedure that removes abnormal antibodies from the blood and replaces the blood with normal antibodies through donated blood.

Immunoglobulin - a blood product that helps to decrease the immune system's attack on the nervous system, given intravenously (IV).

Prevention Tips of Myasthenia Gravis

The best ways to prevent Myasthenia Gravis is :

• Eat soft foods, fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Use electric appliances such as can openers, toothbrushes and power tools to save energy.
• You should wear an eye patch to avoid eyestrain.
• Avoid the emotional stress.
• You can use safety precautions at your home.