Myasthenia Gravis


Myasthenic crisis includes
Myasthenia Gravis, a type of immune inflammatory disease of the nervous system, is mainly caused by the production of abnormal antibodies in the body. Myasthenic crisis can endanger the life safety of patients, affecting respiratory function. There are mainly three types of crises: The first type of crisis is the myasthenic crisis, which is also the most common. Generally, it is caused by the progression of the disease itself, often due to insufficient anticholinesterase drug dosage. The second type of crisis is the cholinergic crisis, caused by an overdose of anticholinesterase drugs, resulting in symptoms like muscle tremors in patients. The third type is the paradoxical crisis, which occurs due to insensitivity to anticholinesterase drugs, leading to severe respiratory difficulties. It is essential to handle a myasthenic crisis promptly, maintain the patient's airway clearance, and use a ventilator for treatment if necessary.


Can myasthenia gravis affecting respiration be cured?
Myasthenia gravis affecting respiration can be cured because myasthenia gravis can improve after treatments such as oral medication or plasmapheresis. Another possibility is myasthenia gravis concurrent with a myasthenic crisis, which has various forms, causing respiratory difficulties. At this point, symptomatic treatment is required, including the use of ventilators, intubation, and in severe cases, a tracheotomy. After the critical period on the ventilator passes, respiratory function can improve or the myasthenia can ameliorate.


Can myasthenia gravis be cured?
Myasthenia gravis is a type of disease in the field of neurology and is categorized as an autoimmune disorder of the nervous system. Generally, this disease tends to recur easily, and it is somewhat difficult to cure completely. However, there is a subtype called ocular myasthenia gravis, where patients only show symptoms of eyelid drooping or double vision. In this type, some patients can be cured, typically around 30%. However, most patients still experience recurrent episodes, and the condition may even progress to a generalized form. Other forms of myasthenia gravis are usually more severe, involving generalized weakness and potentially difficulties in swallowing or choking on liquids. Patients with these symptoms should seek medical attention promptly and can be treated with immunosuppressants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to control the symptoms, though long-term medication is generally required.


Can people with myasthenia gravis soak their feet?
Soaking in hot water can promote blood circulation, dilate blood vessels, improve local blood circulation in the lower limbs, promote metabolism, prevent thrombosis, and prevent muscle atrophy. In the early stages of myasthenia gravis, patients often experience limb discomfort, numbness, pain, blurred vision, and fatigue. In work and daily life, it is common to experience tiredness, memory loss, slow responses, and reluctance to be active. Soaking the feet can promote blood circulation and can improve local blood flow, which has a certain beneficial effect on myasthenia gravis. As the disease progresses, there is obvious fatigue and weakness in the skeletal muscles, especially after fatigue in the afternoon and evening, which is reduced in the morning or after rest.


Myasthenia Gravis Best Treatment
The treatment of myasthenia gravis should also be individualized, specifically based on the actual condition of the patient. First and foremost, a clear diagnosis is essential. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, cholinesterase inhibitors can be used, but the dosage and frequency must be decided based on the patient's individual condition. Additionally, if the patient has a thymoma or thymic hyperplasia, a surgeon should determine whether surgical treatment is necessary. It is also necessary to consider whether to use steroids or plasmapheresis. In the event of a myasthenic crisis, symptomatic treatment should be provided according to the situation to maintain the patient's vital signs, and it is crucial to diagnose and treat early.


What are the side effects of taking steroid medication for myasthenia gravis?
The side effects of steroids in treating myasthenia gravis mainly include Cushing's syndrome characterized by specific facial and bodily features, weight gain, swelling in the lower legs, purple striae, tendency to bleed easily, poor wound healing, acne, and menstrual disorders. There could also be ischemic necrosis of the femoral or humeral heads, osteoporosis and fractures, primarily compressive vertebral fractures, as well as pathological fractures of the long bones, muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and hypokalemia syndrome. Gastrointestinal irritation is common, primarily nausea and vomiting, as well as peptic ulcers or perforation, pancreatitis, and suppressed growth in children.


Myasthenia Gravis Surgical Treatment
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease, with many patients also having a thymoma. The thymus is a very important immune organ in humans, and abnormal proliferation of the thymus can produce acetylcholine receptor antibodies. These antibodies circulate to the neuromuscular junction and participate in the antigen-antibody reaction, leading to the onset of myasthenia gravis. By removing the thymus, the initiating antigens of the patient's autoimmune response can be eliminated, reducing the involvement of T cells, B cells, and cytokines in the autoimmune response. This surgery is suitable for patients with thymic hyperplasia and high acetylcholine receptor antibody titers, or those with various types of myasthenia gravis with thymoma, as well as young women with generalized myasthenia gravis, and those who are dissatisfied with cholinesterase inhibitor treatment. About 70% of patients can experience symptom relief or complete recovery after surgery.


Can severe myasthenia gravis be cured by massage?
Myasthenia Gravis cannot be treated through massage, as it is an acquired autoimmune disease primarily caused by damage to the acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction. Treatment involves the use of immunosuppressive medications such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and azathioprine. Typically, high doses of corticosteroids are administered to suppress the immune-inflammatory response and reduce the production of acetylcholine receptor antibodies, allowing a sufficient number of acetylcholine receptors to be preserved. Additionally, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors can be used to decrease the breakdown of acetylcholine and increase its concentration in the synaptic gap, thus promoting impulse transmission at the neuromuscular junction and improving symptoms of muscle weakness. The most commonly used medications in standard treatment include pyridostigmine, and corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone or prednisolone. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor)


Is myasthenia gravis an autoimmune disease?
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the neuromuscular junction, leading to abnormalities in acetylcholine receptors. This can cause weakness in some or all skeletal muscles, which easily fatigues, particularly after activity or exertion, with symptoms worsening. Symptoms can be alleviated after rest or treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors. As an autoimmune disease, myasthenia gravis often co-occurs with other autoimmune disorders such as hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of myasthenia gravis typically lessen in the morning and worsen after activity, showing a pattern of being lighter in the morning and heavier in the evening.


What medicine should be taken for myasthenia gravis?
Myasthenia gravis is a type of neurological immunological disease in neurology, mainly caused by a disorder of the body's own immune function. Patients in the body will produce antibodies against acetylcholine receptors, thus affecting the transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction. For this disease, the following medications are generally prescribed: The first type of medication is a cholinesterase inhibitor, which can increase the amount of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thereby effectively improving clinical symptoms. The second type of medication is corticosteroids, because this disease is caused by an abnormal inflammatory response. Therefore, taking corticosteroids can suppress the inflammatory response. Treatment generally starts with a small dose and gradually increases, maintaining for a period before gradually tapering off. It may also be necessary to take other immunosuppressants. (Please take the medication under the guidance of a doctor)