Myasthenia Gravis

Guide Note: Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disease that causes muscle weakness and leaves the affected person feeling extremely fatigued. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect where the nerve impulses are transfered to the muscles. Your immune system causes poor communication between your nerves and muscles by producing antibodies that block or destroy the receptor sites or acetylcholine in your muscles. With less receptor sites available, it causes your muscles to receive fewer nerve signals, which results in weakness. All muscles are affected by myasthenia gravis.

Patients with myasthenia gravis generally have weak muscles in their eyes, eye lids, mouth, face, neck, and limb muscles. With myasthenia gravis you can easily tell when a person is at their weakest due to slurring of words, eyes looking closed, and a plain look on their face. The more often a muscle is used the weaker it becomes.

Myasthenia gravis is a progressive disease. Over time the muscles do become weaker and the person with this will not be able to function as well as they once did.

The most common form of treatment for Myasthenia gravis is the drug Mestinon. Mestinon works by preventing the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine allowing more acetylcholine to accumulate. By following the treatment plan provided by your doctor you can expect a near normal life with myasthenia gravis.

Congenital myasthenia gravis is an inherited form of MG it affects the transmission of signals to the muscles. Congenital myasthenia gravis differs from MG as it is not an autoimmune disease. With Congenital MG symptoms are developed early on in childhood which leads to an early diagnosis.

Fast Facts:

1. Not curable
2. Weakens your breathing muscles
3. Most common in women 20-40
4. Most common in men 50-70
5. No gender, race, or age group is excluded from having MG
6. MG is not contagious
7. MG is not inherited
8. Good days may alternate with bad days

Coping Skills:

1. Adjust eating routine
2. Use safety precautions at home such as grab bars
3. Use electrical appliances as opposed to manual ones
4. Wear an eye patch
5. Plan activities around your medications most benefits
6. Acquire help
7. Manage stress

Disclaimer: The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have Myasthenia Gravis, please consult your doctor.