Myasthenia Gravis

Autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis, occur when there’s a defect in the immune system, then it starts to attack the body itself, leading to several pathological conditions.

Myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is one of the most common neuromuscular conditions. It’s a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the skeletal muscles (the muscles that are attached to the bones and help move) and makes them weak and unable to work properly.

Currently, men are more susceptible to having it than women, and it usually manifests after the age of 50.

Types of myasthenia gravis

• Autoimmune myasthenia gravis: The most common type, and the cause of it isn’t entirely understood.
• Neonatal myasthenia gravis: It occurs when one of the parents has myasthenia gravis and usually wears off after three months.
• Congenital myasthenia gravis: It occurs due to a genetic defect, and it’s an autoimmune condition.

Causes and risk factors leading to myasthenia gravis

There hasn’t been a specific cause for myasthenia gravis until now, and it occurs because the immune system attacks the body. However, there are some risk factors that increase the risk of having it, such as:

• Having other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
• Having a thyroid condition.
• The symptoms can also be triggered by: having medications for malaria and heart arrhythmias, undergoing surgery, having an infection or illness, stress, pregnancy, and menstrual periods.

Symptoms of myasthenia gravis

Usually, the symptoms get worse using the affected muscles, and the symptoms get better with rest, and they include:

• Weakness in the muscles of the arms, hands, fingers, legs, face, neck, and eyes.
• Droopy eyelids and vision problems.
• Fatigue.
• Difficulty swallowing, chewing, and speaking.
• Limited facial expressions.
• Difficulty walking.

Complications of myasthenia gravis

• Myasthenia gravis crisis, which causes breathing difficulties, and it’s a life-threatening condition.
• Tumors in the thymus gland, which is a part of the immune system and located under the breastbone.
• Mental problems like depression and stress.

Diagnosis of myasthenia gravis

• Physical and neurological examination.
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Electromyography.
• Repetitive nerve stimulation test.

Management of myasthenia gravis

There isn’t a cure for myasthenia gravis, but the symptoms can be managed through:

• Specific medications.
• Giving the patient antibodies.
• Plasma exchange.
• In some cases, the patient might need a thymectomy.