Myasthenia gravis should not use what medicine?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular junction disease in neurology, primarily due to some synaptic dysfunction, leading to pathological fatigue and general weakness in patients. Patients with myasthenia gravis often experience exacerbation of the disease due to fatigue or infection, and certain medications can severely affect synaptic function, worsening the condition, and are therefore not to be used. The medications to avoid mainly include the following types: The first type is aminoglycoside antibiotics, which can exacerbate the transmission at the neuromuscular junction. Second, quinolone antibiotics should also be avoided as much as possible. Third, some antiarrhythmic drugs can also decrease the excitability of the fascia and are not recommended. Additionally, some drugs like morphine, benzodiazepines, and receptor blockers should also be contraindicated or used with caution.

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Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
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Can myasthenia gravis use non-invasive ventilators?

Myasthenia gravis can be treated with a non-invasive ventilator, and it is generally manageable with medication. Early stages of myasthenia gravis may present with symptoms such as ptosis, poor breathability, respiratory difficulty, worsening symptoms after activity, and increased severity in the evening. Respiratory weakness might require treatment with a non-invasive ventilator. If respiratory weakness does not improve with medication and leads to respiratory failure, it is advisable to use a non-invasive ventilator to improve the patient's symptoms and alleviate difficulties. Respiratory muscle weakness can be life-threatening and requires active treatment.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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The difference between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and myasthenia gravis

These two are distinctly different diseases. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) refers to a motor neuron disease, which is a degenerative neurological condition primarily affecting the upper and lower motor neurons. Patients may exhibit symptoms such as muscle atrophy, muscle twitching, general weakness, as well as potential difficulties in swallowing, articulation disorders, and atrophy of the tongue muscles. The mechanism of this disease is not very clear, symptoms progressively worsen, and there are no effective treatment methods. Neurogenic changes can be observed in electromyography. Myasthenia gravis, on the other hand, is a typical neuromuscular junction disease caused by immune dysfunction. It presents with skeletal muscle fatigue and weakness, typically worsening in the evening. Treatment with immunosuppressants has been shown to be effective.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Myasthenia gravis often co-occurs with which diseases?

Myasthenia gravis is a type of autoimmune disease of the nervous system, mainly caused by the production of abnormal antibodies in the body. These antibodies affect the acetylcholine receptors in the postsynaptic membrane, thereby impacting the transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction. Being an autoimmune disease, myasthenia gravis usually coincides with the following conditions: The first major category is thymus diseases, with most patients experiencing thymic hyperplasia, and particularly, there may be cases of thymoma. If there is a thymoma, it is advised to undergo surgical treatment promptly. The second major category may involve hyperthyroidism, so it is essential to test thyroid function. Thirdly, some patients may also test positive for antinuclear antibodies, which requires careful differential diagnosis.

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Written by Shi De Quan
Neurology
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What should I do if myasthenia gravis causes difficulty swallowing?

Myasthenia gravis primarily manifests as an inability to swallow, affecting the pharyngeal muscles or the muscles involved in swallowing. Thus, difficulty in swallowing is also a symptom of myasthenia gravis. At this time, the main treatment should focus on the primary disease, administering medications such as neostigmine for myasthenia gravis, and using steroids or immunosuppressants in severe cases. If there is difficulty in swallowing, or if it persists for more than two or three days, a gastric tube can be inserted for nasal feeding to maintain nutrition. Then, as the symptoms of myasthenia gravis subside with medication, swallowing function can recover.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Early symptoms of myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a disease of the neuromuscular junction and also an autoimmune disease, caused by a dysfunction in the patient's immune system. Early symptoms of myasthenia gravis may include mild general fatigue, which can be relieved by rest, and may not be particularly concerning to the individual. Some patients may initially exhibit slight ptosis and occasional double vision as clinical symptoms, which they might not take very seriously either. As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more severe, such as noticeable ptosis, double vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and even potential weakness of the respiratory muscles, leading to respiratory failure.