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Myasthenia Gravis is a severe autoimmune neuromuscular condition that causes skeletal muscle weakening, which increases with exercise and improves with rest. It develops when the connection between nerve cells and muscles is disrupted. This dysfunction prevents essential muscle contractions from functioning, leading to muscle weakening.
These muscles control respiration and the movement of the arms and legs, among other body components. The condition affects the body's voluntary muscles, particularly those that control the mouth, eyes, throat, and limbs. Although no known cause or treatment exists for myasthenia gravis, early diagnosis and immediate medical intervention can help patients live longer, more active lives.
Myasthenia gravis has two clinical subtypes: Ocular and Generalised.
The condition often affects the muscles that regulate eye and eyelid movement, eating, facial expression, talking, and swallowing.
Myasthenia gravis symptoms sometimes go unnoticed at first since the disorder's development can be rapid.
The symptoms of myasthenia gravis can resemble the symptoms of other diseases. During myasthenia gravis, flare-ups and remissions of symptoms may occasionally happen. The condition can trigger respiratory failure, which needs urgent emergency medical attention.
While the actual cause of MG is unknown, it may be caused by a combination of faulty antibodies or issues with the thymus gland. In this condition, the immune system attacks itself for unknown reasons.
Antibodies: Neurotransmitters are substances used by neurons or brain cells to transfer information. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter released by nerve endings in response to electrical signals or impulses travelling down a motor neuron. Acetylcholine then attaches to acetylcholine receptors in the muscle. It stimulates the muscle and induces a contraction when it attaches to its receptor.
When people have myasthenia gravis, their immune system generates antibodies that block or kill many acetylcholine receptor sites in the muscles. As muscles get fewer nerve impulses, fewer receptor sites are available, which causes weakness.
The Thymus Gland: The immune system includes the thymus gland, which is located in the upper chest. The thymus gland regulates the immunological function and may be linked to myasthenia gravis. The thymus plays a significant role in the immune system's growth as it is responsible for creating T lymphocytes, also known as T cells, a particular type of white blood cell that defends the body against viruses and illnesses. The thymus gland gets smaller with age; however, in a few adults, it remains large. People with this condition frequently have immune cell clusters in their thymus glands, and they may also develop thymomas (tumours of the thymus gland). Although thymomas are often benign, they can develop into a malignancy.
Other factors that may cause the condition include:
Genetics: Congenital myasthenic syndrome is a rare, inherited type of myasthenia gravis that affects certain children at birth.
Myasthenia gravis can be diagnosed by analysing the physical symptoms and performing a few tests. They are:
Myasthenia gravis can now be effectively managed. A variety of therapies are available to treat and improve muscular weakness. These therapies can help with myasthenia gravis symptoms either alone or in combination. They are:
Several factors that increase the risk of myasthenia gravis include:
As the exact cause of myasthenia gravis is unknown, there is no way to prevent this condition.
With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, most myasthenia gravis patients lead an active life. Most symptoms can be controlled with therapy. Few cases of myasthenia gravis may experience remission.
Reviewed by Dr. Mohit Goel - Associate Director, Neurology & Neurosciences.
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
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