Myasthenia gravis facts*

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. The thymus may give incorrect instructions to developing immune cells, ultimately resulting in autoimmunity and the production of the acetylcholine receptor antibodies. The symptoms of myasthenia gravis may include eye muscle weakness, eyelid drooping (ptosis), blurry or double vision (diplopia),unstable gait, a change in facial expression, difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, impaired speech, and weakness in the arms, hands, fingers, legs, and neck. The disease is not directly inherited nor is it contagious it commonly affects adult women (under !") and older men (over #"), but it can occur at any age. $iagnosis is often delayed because muscle weakness is a common symptom in other diseases and may slowly develop diagnostic tests that help confirm the diagnosis include detecting the presence of immune molecules or acetylcholine receptor antibodies, edrophonium test, and electromyography. Medical treatment includes anticholinesterase agents, plasmapheresis, and various immunosuppressive drugs surgical treatment may include removal of the thymus. % myasthenic crisis occurs when the muscles that control breathing weaken so much that the patient re&uires emergency ventilation assistance. The disease prognosis is highly variable some patients have complete remission (about '"( with thymus surgery), others have relatively normal lives with continued treatment, and others have a poor prognosis as the disease advances. )esearch is ongoing new treatment protocols and immunosuppressive drugs are being investigated and therapeutic methods are likely to improve in the future.