Details Descriptions About :: myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis causes symptoms treatment 

Description of Myasthenia gravis

DescriptionAccording to dictionary definition  Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an antibody-mediated autoimmune, neuromuscular disorder. It is characterized by weakness and easy fatigability of skeletal muscles. The underlying defect is a decrease in the number of available acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at neuromuscular junctions.
Broadly the disease is of three types:1. Ocular MG2. Generalized MG3. Myasthenia crisisIt occurs commonly in women in their 20s and 30s, and in men in their 50s and 60s.  Signs and SymptomsAccording to dictionary definition  Common symptoms include:1. Weakness2. Constant fatigue in muscles3. Double vision and dropping of lids (ptosis)4. Difficulty in chewing, slurred speech5. Difficulty in swallowing  InvestigationsAccording to dictionary definition  1. Your doctor may ask you for your family and disease history2. You may be suggested to conduct motor power survey (a quantitative testing of muscle strength)3. Laboratory tests include:a) Anti-AChR radioimmunoassayb) Anti-muscle specific kinase (MuSK) antibodies4. Repetitive nerve stimulation5. Single-fiber electromyography  TreatmentAccording to dictionary definition  1. Medication includes:a) Cholinesterase inhibitors such as pyridostigmine and neostigmineb) Corticosteroids may be given in tapering doses.c) Immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil2. Thymectomy3. Plasmapheresis4. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVG)5. Total body radiation  PrognosisAccording to dictionary definition  1. With treatment, patients without an underlying thymoma (malignancy of thymus gland) have a normal life expectancy. In patients with a malignant thymoma the reduced life expectancy is on account of the thymoma itself and is otherwise unrelated to the myasthenia.  2. Quality of life can vary depending on the severity and the cause of the disease.