Myasthenia Gravis: Treatment, Symptom and Causes

Contents

In this article we will look at:

• What is Myasthenia Gravis?
• How does Myasthenia Gravis Occur?
• Who is Prone to Myasthenia Gravis?
• What are the Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis? How is Myasthenia Gravis Diagnosed?
• What is the Treatment for Myasthenia Gravis?

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What is Myasthenia Gravis?

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a type of neuromuscular disorder that results in weakness in the skeletal muscles –the muscles responsible for causing movement across the body. MG or Myasthenia Gravis occurs when the communication between the skeletal muscles and the nerve cells becomes dysfunctional or impaired. This dysfunction prevents the occurrence of the vital muscle contractions leading to acute muscle weakness in the body.

As per the reports of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is one of the most common major disorders of neuromuscular communication & transmission. It tends to be a relatively rare health condition affecting around 14 to 20 individuals out of 100,000 people. 

How does Myasthenia Gravis Occur?

Myasthenia Gravis is a type of neuromuscular disorder that is usually the result of some autoimmune issue. Autoimmune issues or disorders occur when the immune system of the body starts attacking the healthy tissues mistakenly. In the condition of an autoimmune disorder linked to MG, the antibodies (proteins responsible for attacking the foreign, harmful elements in the body) attack the neuromuscular system of the body. Potential damage that is done to the neuromuscular membranes results in the reduction of “acetylcholine” –a neurotransmitter substance. This substance is a vital component that aids effective communication between the muscles and the nerve cells. The reduction brought about in its content in the body leads to muscle weakness.

The exact cause of the given autoimmune disorder is still unknown to the medical scientists. As per one theory stated by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, it is due to the presence of bacterial or viral proteins that might prompt the immune system of the body to attack acetylcholine. 

Who is Prone to Myasthenia Gravis?

As per the reports generated by the National Institutes of Health worldwide, Myasthenia Gravis usually occurs in individuals who are above the age of 40 years. Women are more prone to be diagnosed with this condition as younger adults in comparison to men. At the same time, men are more likely to develop Myasthenia Gravis above the age of 60 when compared to women.

What are the Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis? How is Myasthenia Gravis Diagnosed?

One of the most common Myasthenia Gravis symptoms is muscle weakness. The patients recall weakness in the voluntary skeletal muscles of the body –these are the muscles which are under one’s control. The failure of the body’s muscles to contract normally might occur in MG because the muscles are not able to respond to the never impulses. With the absence of any proper transmission of the respective nerve impulses, the communication between the skeletal muscles and the nerve cells gets disrupted, and this results in the weakness in the muscles. 

The Myasthenia Gravis symptoms associated with the weakness in the muscles might get worse due to increased activity and might improve with rest. Here are some of the common Myasthenia Gravis symptoms:

• Trouble while talking
• Facial paralysis
• Problems while walking up stairs or lifting heavy objects
• Difficulty in breathing due to excessive muscle weakness
• Fatigue
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing
• Drooping of the eyelids
• Hoarse voice
• Double vision

Not every individual might have all the associated Myasthenia Gravis symptoms as the degree of muscle weakness might vary from one day to the other. 

Diagnosis

In case of the MG diagnosis, the doctor might perform a physical examination by taking into account the details of your associated Myasthenia Gravis symptoms. The doctor might also conduct a proper neurological examination. It might include:

• Checking the body’s reflexes
• Checking for the muscle tone
• Looking out for any signs of muscle weakness
• Making certain eye areas move around
• Testing sensations in different areas of the body
• Testing proper motor functions including touching of the finger to the nose, etc.

Some additional tests can also help the doctor in diagnosing MG. The tests might include:

• Blood test for checking antibodies associated with Myasthenia Gravis
• Repetitive nerve simulation test
• Chest imaging tests
• Tensilon test

What are the Complications for MG?

• Difficulty in vision
• Difficulty in movement
• Fatigue & muscle weakness

What is the Treatment for Myasthenia Gravis?

There is no cure for Myasthenia Gravis. The goal of different treatments for MG is to bring about effective management of the MG symptoms and to control the activities of the body’s immune system.

Some of the possible treatments for MG include:

• Meditation
• Removal of the Thymus Gland
• Plasma exchange