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Neuromuscular disorder, Myasthenia gravis (MG) causes weakness in the skeletal muscles. It occurs when the communication of nerve cells and muscles becomes imbalanced. This imbalance prevents muscle contractions that result in muscle weakness.
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America revealed that MG is the most common primary disorder of neuromuscular transmission. It is a rare condition that is reported in 14 to 20 out of every 100,000 people in the United States.
Causes of Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis usually caused by the autoimmune problem. Autoimmune disorders occur when the healthy tissue is mistakenly attacked by immune system. In this health condition, antibodies, nothing but proteins normally attack harmful foreign substances in the body. It attacks the neuromuscular junction. Damage to the neuromuscular membrane results in reduction of the effect of the neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine. The substance acetylcholine is a crucial substance for communication in nerve cells and muscles, leads to muscle weakness.
The exact cause of Myasthenia gravis autoimmune reaction is unclear.
National Institutes of Health stated that MG typically occurs over the age of 40. Women get diagnosed as younger adults, whereas men get diagnosed at an older age.
Diagnosis of Myasthenia gravis
Before diagnosis, the doctor needs to check your physical health and know about personal or family history of health. It will help the doctor to properly diagnose the condition.
- Reflexes checking
- Muscle weakness examination
- Muscle tone verification
- Eyes checking
- sensation checking
- Motor functions testing
- Repetitive nerve stimulation test
- Blood testing
- Edrophonium (Tensilon) test: Muscle movement in observation of the doctor
- Imaging test: Imaging of the chest using CT scans or MRI to detect the tumor
Symptoms of Myasthenia gravis
The most common symptom of MG is a weakness in skeletal muscles These muscles are under your control. The unsuccessful muscle contraction occurs because they become unable to respond to nerve impulses. In absence of proper transmission of the impulse, the communication of nerve and muscle is blocked. This condition leads to weakness of the muscles. This weakness gets worse sometimes.
Symptoms of MG are observed as follows:
- Talking trouble
- Difficulty in walking upstairs
- Facial impairment or paralysis
- Trouble in breathing due to muscle weakness
- Swallowing or chewing
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Voice changes or hoarse voice
- Eyes pain or drooping of eyelids
- Vision changes
Treatment for Myasthenia gravis
Mestinon is the popular brand medication used in the treatment of Myasthenia Gravis. This medication is composed of active component Pyridostigmine. This medication has been manufactured by the leading pharmaceutical company Bausch Health Pharma. It is indicated for the improvement in muscle strength in people with a certain muscle disease like myasthenia gravis. It acts by preventing the breakdown of a certain natural substance like acetylcholine in the body. For normal muscle function, acetylcholine is an important component.