Myasthenia

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Myasthenia gravis is a long-term neuromuscular disease that leads to varying degrees of skeletal muscle weakness. The most commonly affected muscles are those of the eyes, face, and swallowing. It can result in double vision, drooping eyelids, trouble talking, and trouble walking. Onset can be sudden. Those affected often have a large thymus or develop a thymoma.

Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]

Myasthenia gravis is often associated with weakness in the voluntary skeletal muscles of the body. The weakness most often starts in the muscles around the eyes, causing drooping of the eyelids (ptosis) and difficulty focusing and looking at different objects (diplopia).

Causes[edit | edit source]

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease which results from antibodies that block or destroy nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the junction between the nerve and muscle. This prevents nerve impulses from triggering muscle contractions.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

The diagnosis of myasthenia gravis is made by identifying the characteristic clinical features along with evidence of defective neuromuscular transmission shown by electromyography, or by the presence of serum acetylcholine receptor antibodies.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment includes medication to improve neuromuscular transmission and to suppress the production of abnormal antibodies. The disease can be controlled with treatment, but complete remission without treatment is uncommon.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Myasthenia Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD