A progressive, fatal disease of the muscles characterized by slow paralysis of various muscle groups.
Autoimmune disease characterized by chronic, progressive muscle fatigue and weakness, especially in the face and throat.
A rare autoimmune disorder affecting the conjunction of nerves and muscles, in which voluntary muscles cannot contract normally, leaving the person very weak. Eye movements, facial expression, chewing, swallowing, and breathing are often first affected, and later arm and leg muscles. This rare disorder can appear at any age but most commonly in young women and older men.
An immunologic neuromuscular disorder characterized by fluctuating muscular strength, poor activity tolerance, and notable weakness of the oculofacial and proximal limb muscle groups.
A neuromuscular disorder of unknown origin that weakens muscles by interfering with normal transmission of nerve impulses to muscle fibers. Certain drugs are helpful in counteracting muscular weakness and restoring function.
Also known as MG, a chronic neuromuscular disease that affects the voluntary muscles of the body. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease (a disease caused by the reaction of a person’s immune system against his or her own tissues). Myasthenia gravis can affect anyone, but is most common in young adult women and older men. In this disease, the voluntary muscles become weak and tire easily. Chronic weakness improves with rest and worsens with activity. Certain muscles are involved more often than others. These include the muscles that control eye movement, chewing, coughing, swallowing, and facial expression. Muscles that control the arms and legs may also be affected. Shortness of breath occurs when the breathing muscles become weakened.
A chronic disease marked by abnormal fatiguability and weakness of selected muscles, which is relieved by rest or anticholinesterase drugs. The degree of fatigue is so extreme that these muscles are temporarily paralyzed. Other symptoms include drooping of the upper eyelid (ptosis), double vision, and dysarthria. The cause is uncertain, but appears to be associated with impaired ability of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to induce muscular contraction. It chiefly affects adolescents and young adults (usually women) and adults over 40. Drug treatment and surgical removal of the thymus lessen the severity of the symptoms.
A serious disorder in which the chief symptoms are muscular weakness and a special tendency for fatigue to rapidly develop after effort. The prevalence is around 1 in 30,000. Two-thirds of the patients are women, in whom it develops in early adult life. In men it tends to develop later.
An autoimmune motor disorder marked by muscular fatigue that develops with repetitive muscle use and improves with rest or with the application of a cold pack. It is caused by antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor in the neuromuscular junction and a decrease in receptor sites for acetylcholine. Because the smallest concentration of acetylcholine receptors in the body is in the cranial nerves, weakness and fatigue of the eye muscles, muscles of mastication, and pharyngeal muscles are the most prominently affected in most patients, but any (skeletal) muscle group may be involved. The disease is rare, affecting about 14 persons out of 100,000.
Myasthenia gravis is a condition characterized by muscle weakness, which arises due to the production of antibodies against a natural chemical responsible for facilitating the transmission of impulses between nerves and muscles. In this autoimmune disorder, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and impairs the function of the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle fatigue and weakness.
An uncommon condition characterized by muscle weakness and quick fatigue. The muscles primarily impacted are those in the eyes, face, throat, and limbs.
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition. Often, irregularities in the thymus gland are observable, and occasionally, a thymoma (a tumor of the thymus gland) is detected. This disorder tends to affect women more frequently than men.
The impact of the illness can vary significantly. Typically, it leads to sagging eyelids, double vision, an expressionless face, and a feeble, husky, and nasal voice that tends to be tentative and becomes less distinct during prolonged discussions. The muscles of the arms and legs might also experience effects. In more severe instances, the respiratory muscles could weaken, resulting in breathing challenges.
A frequently employed examination involves injecting the medication edrophonium into a vein, which briefly revitalizes the strength of the weakened muscles. Blood analyses and electromyography (EMG) are also occasionally utilized. For specific situations, computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) might be conducted to identify the presence of a thymoma.
Medications that enhance the transmission of nerve signals frequently have the potential to significantly improve an individual’s state, bringing it close to normal. For certain individuals, the situation might get better, and occasionally, a cure is attainable through thymectomy (the removal of the thymus gland). For more critical instances, periodic plasmapheresis might be performed. Additionally, corticosteroid medications could be administered to suppress immune system responses. Yet, in some cases, the paralysis of throat and respiratory muscles could unfortunately result in fatal outcomes.
A long-term illness primarily targets individuals aged 20-30 and is marked by excessive muscle fatigue. This results in a fluctuating paralysis which can be triggered or exacerbated by physical effort but tends to get better with rest. However, in some cases, it may become lasting. While the exact cause remains unidentified, there seems to be a link with an overactive thyroid gland, as this condition can develop after such a thyroid issue.