MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

 Basic information

description

Myasthenia gravis is a disorder of the muscles that causes muscle weakness of varying degrees. It often involves the muscles around the eyes, mouth, and throat, and the arms and legs. It may affect the breathing muscles also. It can affect any age, but occurs more often in females under age 40 and men over age 60.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Drooping eyelids.
• Double vision.
• Loss of normal facial expression.
• Swallowing difficulty.
• Weakness of the arms and legs.
• Difficulty speaking clearly.
• Breathing difficulty.
• Most flare-ups appear after a period of normal muscle function and worsen as the muscle is used.

causes

One of a group of autoimmune disorders. In these disorders, the immune system attacks the body itself by mistake. With myasthenia gravis, there is a miscommunication between the nerves and the muscles.

risk increases with

• Females under age 40 and men over age 60.
• Newborns of mothers with myasthenia gravis.
• Having other autoimmune disorders.
• Family history of myasthenia gravis.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Cannot be prevented at present.

expected outcomes

There is no known cure. Symptoms may get worse and then improve for a period of time. Symptoms can be helped with treatment. Patients usually lead normal or near normal lives with the disease. Research into causes and treatment continues, so there is hope for effective treatment and cure.

possible complications

• Swallowing difficulty.
• Long-term treatments may lead to various problems.
• Respiratory failure.
• Aspiration pneumonia.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and activities. Medical tests may include studies of blood antibodies, electrical tests on muscle, and x-rays of the chest.
• Treatment will help control symptoms. It may involve extra rest, drug therapy, surgery, or plasmapheresis.
• Surgical removal (thymectomy) of the thymus gland may be recommended. It can improve symptoms in some patients, and even cure the disease in others.
• Plasmapheresis involves removal of blood from the patient, treating the blood, and reinjecting it. This therapy may be used when symptoms are severe.
• Acute flare-ups (myasthenia crises) may require emergency hospital care for breathing problems.
• Avoid exposure to infections and try to avoid stress.
• To learn more: Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 355 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10017; (800) 541-5454; website: www.myasthenia.org.

medications

• Anticholinesterase drugs to help improve muscle function are usually prescribed.
• Immunosuppressive drugs may be prescribed at times when symptoms worsen.
• Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) may be used for some patients to suppress the immune system.

activity

• Plan activities to make the most of energy peaks. Frequent rest periods are important. Day-to-day changes in symptoms are common.
• Avoid strenuous activities and too much exposure to the sun or to cold weather.

diet

Eat foods high in potassium. These include oranges, tomatoes, bananas, broccoli, and apricots. Soft diet may be helpful if chewing and swallowing are difficult.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has myasthenia gravis symptoms.
• You develop swallowing or breathing difficulty.

Special Notes: