Learn All About Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease characterized by the weakening of voluntary muscles. This disease causes the immune system to attack muscle receptors, which allow them to move. They mean that it disrupts the connection between nerves and muscles and does not allow them to function properly.

The term,  myasthenia gravis,  comes from Latin and means “violent weakening of muscles”. It  affects about 1 in 5,000 people. Although it can manifest at any age, it is more common in women under 40 and men over 50.

It is a very debilitating and complex disease that still has no cure. However, certain treatments help relieve symptoms. In this article we will explain everything you need to know about this disease.

All about myasthenia gravis

In order to understand this disease, we first need to understand how the muscles work.

Muscles receive chemical signals from the nerves. Usually, when we do a voluntary movement, these substances are released at the nerve endings. These substances act in muscle receptors and the movement occurs with the desired strength and precision.

However, myasthenia gravis  weakens the immune system and attacks these muscle receptors. This does not allow the hormones to activate the muscles, causing weakness and fatigue.

This weakening of the muscles gets worse after a period of activity. Myasthenia gravis usually affects muscles such as those that control facial expressions, chewing or swallowing. It can even affect the muscles of the traction system.

Symptoms

As we mentioned above, the primary symptom is muscle weakness. This  weakness gets worse when a muscle is used repeatedly, and gets better with rest. Unfortunately, the symptoms usually get worse with time and within a few years of suffering from this disease, they can become quite serious.

Although can affect several muscle groups, the ones that are most often affected are:

• Eye muscles. Most people who suffer from myasthenia gravis have vision problems, such as double vision. They also tend to suffer from drooping eyelids.
• Many of the patients have  difficulty speaking. They also have a nasal, gentle voice.
• The process of sinking. This disease affects simple movements such as chewing and swallowing. This means that there is a risk of suffocation when eating or drinking any food.

• Facial expression. Patients with myasthenia gravis cannot smile normally.
• In addition, weakness can manifest in the limbs and neck. When this happens, it changes the person’s ability to walk and hold their head in a natural position, which is why their head tends to fall to the side.

Diagnosis of myasthenia gravis

To diagnose myasthenia gravis, the doctor must first know all the symptoms and the patient’s medical history. Then they have to do a thorough physical examination. Several further examinations are also required to confirm the diagnosis.

For example  , doctors will probably perform a neurological examination to check muscle strength and reflexes and coordination, among other things.

Blood tests also provide very useful information for diagnosis. As we have already explained, it is an autoimmune disease, which is why specific antibodies are usually found in the patient’s blood. Doctors also resort to other tests such as:

• Ice test,  which is helpful if the patient has a drooping eyelid. The doctors place an ice pack on the eyelid for about two minutes and then analyze if there is movement in that area.
• Repeated nerve stimulation. This test sends electrical impulses to the nerves to see if they stimulate the muscle.

Conclusion

Myasthenia gravis is a complex disease that is characterized by muscle weakness. It can affect various parts of the body, such as the eye, body parts and the muscles of the respiratory system.

It is a serious disease that can endanger a patient’s life. There is still no cure, which is why it is essential to go to a doctor as a result of any symptoms  so that they can prescribe the most appropriate treatment to control them.