Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune medical condition, which means the body’s immune system attacks itself. People suffering from MG lose their ability to control their muscles voluntarily. They experience varying degrees of muscle weakness and fatigue. And are unable to move the muscles in their face, neck, or limbs. MG is a neuromuscular disease that lasts a lifetime. Although this disease can affect people of any age, it is more common in women under the age of 40 and men over the age of 60. Even though there is no cure, treatments can help, and some patients may achieve remission. A proper consultation with a Neurologist can provide you with significant relief. So to get consultation from a neurologist in udaipur, here are 5 tips to choose the best one. Read on this blog to know it in detail.

Also before getting in deep regarding the Myasthenia, first understand what is is and, who can get affected.

 

What is Myasthenia Gravis?

Myasthenia is a neuromuscular disorder that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles, which are the muscles that allow your body to move. MG is a relatively uncommon condition that affects about 20 people out of every 100,000 in the United States. However, because it is underdiagnosed, the prevalence may be higher.

 

Who Might Get Myasthenia?

Myasthenia gravis primarily affects women between the ages of 20 and 40 and men between 50 and 80. Teenagers account for approximately one-tenth of all cases. The disease can affect people of all ages, but it is uncommon in children.

These factors raise the risk:

• History of other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
• Infections
• Medications for malaria, heart arrhythmias, and cancer
• Surgical procedures
• Thyroid disease

 

Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis

• The most common symptom of Myasthenia is weakness in the voluntary skeletal muscles or muscles that you can control. Muscles that fail to contract are usually unable to respond to nerve impulses. Communication between nerve and muscle is disrupted without proper impulse transmission, resulting in weakness.
• Eyelids can drop due to MG, as can double or blurred vision. You may also notice a general weakness in your eye muscles.
• MG may cause changes in your facial expressions in addition to facial paralysis.
• When myasthenia gravis affects the muscles of the throat, you may experience symptoms like difficulty in talking, difficulty in breathing, difficulty in swallowing or chewing, hoarse voice, and neck weakness, making it difficult to hold your head up.
• When myasthenia affects the muscles of the chest, you may experience the following severe and potentially fatal symptoms:
• Respiratory failure caused by diaphragm and chest muscle weakness, which can lead to myasthenic crisis, is considered an emergency.
• Myasthenia can also affect your arm and leg muscles, causing symptoms like fatigue, overall weakness in your legs due to weakness in your fingers, hands, and arms, and problems climbing stairs or lifting objects.

What Causes Myasthenia?

1. Antibodies

Myasthenia is caused by a faulty nerve impulse transmission to the muscles. It happens when normal nerve-muscle communication is disrupted at the neuromuscular junction—the point at which nerve cells connect with the muscles they control.

2. Thymus gland

The thymus gland regulates immune function and may be linked to myasthenia gravis. It gradually grows until puberty, shrinks, and is replaced by fat. The thymus plays an important role in developing the immune system throughout childhood because it is responsible for producing the T cells, a type of white blood cell that protects the body from viruses and infections.

 

How is Myasthenia Gravis Diagnosed?

Several tests may be performed or ordered by a doctor to confirm the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis:

• A physical and neurological examination is performed.
• A test for edrophonium.
• A blood test is required.
• Electrodiagnostics
• Imaging diagnostics
• Testing for pulmonary function

 

How Is Myasthenia Gravis Treated?

Myasthenia can now be managed in most cases. It is a treatable disease, and most patients can live a relatively normal life with treatment. A variety of therapies are available to help reduce and improve muscle weakness. Visit Dr. tarun Mathur, the best neurologist in Udaipur to consult regarding the treatment of gravis. 

• Thymectomy.
• A monoclonal antibody.
• Anticholinesterase drugs.
• Immunosuppressive medications.
• Plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin administration

 

Final Thoughts 

Myasthenia gravis cannot be prevented. However, a person can take several steps to stop a flare-up of symptoms or prevent complications from developing. The diagnosis can be difficult because MG shares symptoms with other conditions. Thus, the diagnosis may need to be confirmed by a neurologist. Book an Appointment with the Neuro specialist in Udaipur- Dr Tarun Mathur.