How is myasthenia gravis diagnosed?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Myasthenia gravis is essentially an immunoreactive disease in neurology, primarily caused by immune dysfunction in the body, leading to the production of autoantibodies. These antibodies attack the acetylcholine receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, resulting in corresponding clinical symptoms such as ptosis, diplopia, and general fatigue. The examination of myasthenia gravis mainly includes the following aspects: first, the completion of the Tensilon test, and if the test is positive, myasthenia gravis should be considered; second, the examination should include repetitive nerve stimulation electromyography, and if there is a significant decrement in wave amplitude, this disease should be considered; third, relevant blood tests should be conducted, mainly to check for acetylcholine receptor antibodies, as positive results for these antibodies are important in supporting this diagnosis.

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Written by Liu Hong Mei
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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.

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Written by Shi De Quan
Neurology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can myasthenia gravis be cured completely?

Myasthenia gravis is a relatively common disease in neurology. Whether it can be completely cured mainly depends on the severity of the disease and some of its subtypes. For instance, patients with ocular myasthenia gravis only exhibit symptoms such as ptosis; by using some corticosteroids or acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, some patients can be cured. However, there are also patients who experience generalized muscle weakness, which is particularly severe and may even affect the respiratory muscles. These patients need long-term or even lifelong medication to prevent the recurrence of severe myasthenia gravis. Additionally, some patients with myasthenia gravis also have thymomas, and many patients can be cured after the removal of the thymoma. Therefore, most cases of myasthenia gravis cannot be completely cured and require long-term medication, though a small portion might be curable.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Types of Myasthenia Gravis Crisis

Myasthenia gravis is a neurological disease. It is an autoimmune disorder primarily affecting the neuromuscular junction, leading to symptoms such as pathological fatigue, ptosis, and limb weakness. Myasthenia gravis is termed as such due to its severe nature, including crises that can impair respiratory muscles, leading to respiratory paralysis, respiratory failure, and potentially death. There are three main types of myasthenic crises. The first type is myasthenic crisis, primarily caused by insufficient medication; muscular injections can be used for treatment, and if effective, it indicates a myasthenic crisis. The second type is called cholinergic crisis, resulting from an overdose of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, with symptoms including muscular twitching and pupil constriction. The third type is called refractory crisis, occurring when the body is insensitive to medication treatments. All these crises pose a life-threatening risk to patients and require immediate management, including tracheal intubation and, if necessary, mechanical ventilation.