Myasthenia Gravis

Introduction

Myasthenia Gravis (disease) is derived from a significant Latin word that depicts grave muscle weakness. Circulation of antibodies is associated with this disease. This type of circulation process causes nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This disease affects the muscle joints. The associated antibodies are found to deter motor neurons that resist them from signalling necessary signals to the muscles and as a result, severe contraction takes place.

What is Myasthenia Gravis?

In Myasthenia Gravis disease, breakdown take place in the communication between muscles and nerves which causes severe difficulties in handling the normal process of the body parts. A range of rapid fatigue is an important result of this disease. Under any specific voluntary control, a continuous decrease in muscle strength and resistance of fatigue is associated with the generation of Myasthenia Gravis.

Figure 1: Presentation of Myasthenia Gravis

This type of muscle weakness is also found to be carried out genetically. In certain portions of the neuromuscular junction, this disease affects the most. Passive transmission of the mothers immune system can also be a source of this disease which is inherited by birth.

Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis

• Eyes − Effects of Myasthenia Gravis often cause excessive dropping of eyelids. As another impact on the eyes, blurry vision and even double vision are also associated with this disease.

Figure 2: Impacts of Myasthenia Gravis on eyes

An overall weakness in eye muscles can be another important symptom by which one can detect this disease.

• Throat − As a result, of this disease, infections are found in the throat. This is such an important body part that can show symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, trouble in talking, changes in voice, hoarse voice, and most importantly weaknesses in the neck. This disease also leads the patient to feel difficulty in holding his head straight.

• Face − Any kind of facial expression can be found as changed, by being affected by Myasthenia Gravis.

• Arms and legs − All muscles, associated with hands and this disease affects legs. Weaknesses in fingers, arms and the whole hand and legs are also considered significant symptoms by which this disease can be detected. The patient may also feel discomfort in climbing stairs and also in lifting any heavy object with their hands.

• Chest − Failure of the respiratory system is an important symptom that is caused by a disorder, Myasthenia Gravis. Weaknesses in chest muscles often lead to creating a myasthenic crisis.

Causes of Myasthenia Gravis

• Irregularities in the thymus gland − Until the time of puberty, the thymus gland is found to grow in a natural order. As a result, of Myasthenia Gravis, these glands are enlarged and can develop as a tumour. Such interferences within the immune cell production process can affect the overall function of a body.

• Age − Age plays an important role in generating this disease in any human body. Generally, after the age of 40, this disease is found in women. Around 10-15 percent of this disease is found to be generated in any child. The main reason behind this can be the genetic process by which Myasthenia Gravis is transmitted from the mothers body to the child’s body.

• Functions of antibodies − Disorder in the autoimmune system can be an important cause of this disease. Any kind of harmful substances are attacked by antibodies and in terms of Myasthenia Gravis, working nerve cells are attacked.

Complications of Myasthenia Gravis

• A severe autoimmune complication is found in a humans body. Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are other complications, associated with this disease.

• Overactive and underactive thyroid are two other types of medical disorders that can be generated by being affected by Myasthenia Gravis.

• In relation to Myasthenic crisis and tumors within the thymus gland, the complications, generated by this disease are found.

Myasthenia Gravis: Treatment

• Removal of the Thymus gland can help in reducing symptoms of this disease.

• Effective medication is necessary.

• The exchange of plasma can help patients in diagnosing Myasthenic crisis.

• Changes in lifestyle can also help a person in preventing Myasthenia Gravis.

• Considering Intravenous immune globulin can be helpful as this blood product is acquired from donors and commonly used in treating autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis.

Conclusion

The impairment of muscles causes crucial muscle contractions. This leads the muscles to be weak and lose the strength to perform their individual functions. A wellrecognized and primary neuromuscular transmission is named as muscle contractions. This disease is under diagnosed and therefore the rate of prevalence is higher than other similar diseases.

FAQs

Q1. What is the main reason behind Myasthenia Gravis?

Ans. The nerves and the muscles work based on the provided signals in between the connected nerves. A problem in sending signals can cause difficulties for the muscles in responding at the right time. In such an autoimmune system, any mistake in sending proper signals can cause damage to the patient.

Q2. What are the two most common symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis?

Ans. Diplopia is considered double vision, and weakness in muscles is the two simplest symptoms by which this disease can be easily detected. Lack of proper care can cause severe damage to the overall body parts that can cause a decrease in health conditions.

Q3. What kind of life-span is found within patients, suffering from Myasthenia Gravis?

Ans. Most of the patients, suffering from this disease, possess a normal span of life. Only around 3 to 4 people, suffering from Myasthenia Gravis are found to die. Crisis in myasthenic or in thymoma is the main reason behind the death of such patients in current days.

Q4. Which body part is firstly attacked by Myasthenia Gravis?

Ans. Muscles weakness is integrally connected to Myasthenia Gravis. Firstly, the muscles of the face, neck, and jaw are attacked by this disease.