Myasthenia Gravis

Introduction of Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia Gravis is a neuromuscular disorder primarily characterized by muscle weakness and muscle fatigue. Although the disorder usually becomes apparent during adulthood, symptom onset may occur at any age. The condition may be restricted to certain muscle groups, particularly those of the eyes (ocular myasthenia gravis), or may become more generalized (generalized myasthenia gravis), involving multiple muscle groups. Most individuals with myasthenia gravis develop weakness and drooping of the eyelids (ptosis) weakness of eye muscles, resulting in double vision (diplopia) and excessive muscle fatigue following activity.

Causes of Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia Gravis is a neuromuscular disorder that is usually caused by an autoimmune problem. Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In this condition, antibodies (proteins which normally attack foreign, harmful substances in the body) attack the neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine, which is a crucial substance for nerve cell and muscle communication. This results in the muscle weakness that characterizes the condition. The exact cause of this autoimmune reaction is unclear to the doctors.

Risk of Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia Gravis is not inherited, and it is not contagious. It is not clear why people develop the disorder, although some researchers believe it could be from a genetic problem. For women, the disorder usually starts in their 20s and 30s for men, usually after age 50 .

Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis

The main symptom of Myasthenia Gravis is weakness in the voluntary skeletal muscles, which are the muscles under your control. This weakness occurs with activity and can get better with rest. The failure of the muscles to contract normally occurs because they cannot respond to the nerve impulse. This is considered to be a blocked communication between nerve and muscle, and without the proper transmission of the impulse, weakness results.

Weakness associated with MyastheniaGravis typically gets worse with more activity and improves with rest. Symptoms may include:

Trouble talkingProblems walking up stairs or lifting objectsFacial paralysisDifficulty breathing because of muscle weaknessDifficulty swallowing or chewingFatigueHoarse voiceDrooping of eyelidDouble vision

Not everyone will have every symptom, and the degree of muscle weakness can change from day to day. The disease typically progresses over time if left untreated.

How Myasthenia Gravis is diagnosed? Your doctor will perform a complete physical exam, as well as take a detailed history of symptoms. He or she will also do a neurological exam. This may consist of:

Checking your reflexesLooking for muscle weaknessChecking for muscle toneMaking certain your eyes move properlyTesting sensation in different areas of your bodySeeing if you can perform certain movements, like touching your finger to your nose

Other tests that can help your doctor diagnose the condition include:

Repetitive nerve stimulation testBlood testing for antibodies associated with Myasthenia GravisEdrophonium (Tensilon) test: a drug called Tensilon (or a placebo) is injected, and the patient is asked to perform muscle movements under doctor observationImaging of the chest, using CT scans or MRI, to rule out a tumour

Diagnoses of Virilization

Tell your doctor about all the symptoms or physical changes you’ve experienced. Mention any medications you’re currently taking, including birth control. PCOS tends to run in families, so learning your family’s medical history can help your doctor determine the cause of your virilization.

If your doctor is unable to diagnose the cause of virilization right away, he or she may take a blood sample. The blood sample will be tested for the presence of testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone, and other hormones. increased level of male sex hormones is usually an indication of this condition.

The doctor will perform a test called the dexamethasone suppression test if you have a higher-than-normal level of androgens in your blood. This test will help determine where the excess androgens are coming from. If the doctor suspects that they are caused by a cancerous adenoma, he or she will perform an imaging test, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan. This will allow the doctor to view structures within the body in detail. Your doctor can determine if abnormal growths are present using the imaging scans.

Treatments of Virilization

Common treatments for myasthenia gravis include:

•Medications such as Mestinon (pyridostigmine bromide) and Prostigmin (neostigmine bromide)•Corticosteroid medications such as prednisone•Medications that suppress the immune system, such as Imuran (azathioprine) and cyclosporine•Removal of the thymus gland (thymectomy), the main gland in the immune system•Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis), in which the person's blood plasma containing the abnormal antibodies is removed and fresh plasma is put back People with myasthenia gravis can in most cases lead full lives. Sometimes the muscle weakness resolves to the point of not being a problem (called spontaneous remission). For some people, the weakness is only in the eyelids. For others, the weakness progresses to a point and stays at that level. Rarely, and usually in the first two years of the disorder, the weakness might extend to the muscles that control breathing, and the person will have to be hospitalized. There is no cure for myasthenia gravis, but the treatments are usually effective in minimizing its problems. Read latest diseases... Acute Pancreatitis:Acute Pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflamma..Read More Chronic Pancreatitis:Pancreas is a large gland present near the stomach..Read More Brachial Plexus Neuropathy Syndrome:Brachial plexus neuropathy syndrome, also termed a..Read More Brain Haemorrhage:Brain haemorrhage is a type of stroke wherein dama..Read More :Parkinson's disease is a motor system disorder tha..Read More Crohn's Disease:Crohn's disease is a painful, recurrent, chronic i..Read More.