I am diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravies
I have been suffering from weakness especially on my upper limbs muscles. I have difficulty carrying objects even for five minutes without dropping them. After thorough examination and tests, Myasthenia gravies was diagnosed. I am on treatment now. I want to know more about its symptoms and treatment. Emeka E. Thanks Emeka for your useful […]
I have been suffering from weakness especially on my upper limbs muscles. I have difficulty carrying objects even for five minutes without dropping them. After thorough examination and tests, Myasthenia gravies was diagnosed. I am on treatment now. I want to know more about its symptoms and treatment.
Emeka E.
Thanks Emeka for your useful question. Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder which involve the muscles and the nerves that control them.Myasthenia gravis is a type of autoimmune disorder which occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In people with myasthenia gravis, the body produces antibodies that block the muscle cells from receiving messages (neurotransmitters) from the nerve cell.
Antibodies are proteins made by the body’s immune system when it detects harmful substances. The exact cause of myasthenia gravis is unknown. In some cases, it is linked to tumors of the thymus (an organ of the immune system).Myasthenia gravis can affect people at any age. It is most common in young women and older men.
Symptoms
Myasthenia gravis causes weakness of the voluntary muscles. Voluntary muscles are those that are under your control. Autonomic muscles, such as the heart and the digestive tract, are usually not affected. The muscle weakness of myasthenia gravis worsens with activity and improves with rest.
The muscle weakness can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:
1.Breathing difficulty because of weakness of the chest wall muscles
2.Chewing or swallowing difficulty, causing frequent gagging, choking, or drooling
3.Difficulty climbing stairs, lifting objects, or rising from a seated position
4. Difficulty talking
5. Drooping head
6. Weakness of the facial muscles
7. Fatigue and hoarseness or changing voice
8. Double vision and difficulty maintaining steady gaze and eyelid drooping.
Treatment
There is no known cure for myasthenia gravis. Treatment may allow one to have periods without any symptoms (remission).
Lifestyle changes often help one continue daily activities.
The following are usually recommended:
1.Resting throughout the day.
2.Using an eye patch if double vision is bothersome.
3.Avoiding stress and heat exposure, which can make symptoms worse.
4.Medicines could also be prescribed to suppress the immune system response.
5.Crisis situations are attacks of weakness of the breathing muscles. These attacks can occur without warning when either too much or too little medicine is taken. These attacks usually last no longer than a few weeks. One may need to be admitted to the hospital where breathing assistance with a ventilator is used.
Other treatment options are as follows:
1.A procedure called plasmapheresis may also be used to help end the crisis. This procedure involves removing the clear part of the blood (plasma), which contains the antibodies. This is replaced with donated plasma that is free of antibodies or with other fluids.
2.Immunoglobulin infusion, may also be done. With this procedure, a large amount of helpful antibodies are given directly into the bloodstream.
3.Surgery to remove the thymus (thymectomy) may result in permanent remission or less need for medicines, especially when there is a tumor present.
4.Physical therapy can help maintain muscle strength. This is especially important for the muscles that support breathing.
5.Some medicines can worsen symptoms and should be avoided. Before taking any medicine, check with your doctor whether it is okay for you to take.
6.One can also ease the stress of illness by joining a myasthenia gravis support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help.