Myasthenia Gravis Clinical Manifestations

Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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The clinical manifestations of myasthenia gravis include fluctuating weakness of specific striated muscles that is fatigue-prone. Symptoms are generally milder in the morning and worsen by night, increasing after sustained activity and alleviating after rest. Additionally, some patients may experience ocular muscle weakness, presenting with ptosis and diplopia, which could be among the earliest symptoms. Eye movement disorders may occur, preventing the eyes from looking to one side, and pupil abnormalities may be present. Facial muscle weakness can lead to cheek puffing and air leakage, inability to close the eyes, or asymmetry of the mouth, resembling a forced smile. There may also be weakness in the masticatory muscles, leading to difficulties in chewing and swallowing, potential speech impairments, and coughing when drinking water. Neck muscle weakness may manifest as difficulty in lifting the head. Muscle weakness can affect various limbs, primarily proximally, and respiratory muscle weakness can lead to breathing difficulties and dryness.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Early symptoms of myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease of the nervous system that primarily affects the acetylcholine receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, causing muscle fatigue in patients. This can lead to general weakness throughout the body, double vision, and even progressive paralysis of the respiratory muscles, requiring active breathing assistance in severe cases. The early symptoms of myasthenia gravis mainly include: First, patients tend to fatigue easily, such as after exercise or labor, with a rapid decline in physical strength that only recovers after resting. Second, there may be ptosis, with patients unable to comfortably open their eyes, although this symptom can improve after resting or sleeping. As myasthenia gravis progresses into its later stages, there is a marked increase in overall weakness, necessitating treatment in a neurology department.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to alleviate myasthenia gravis?

Myasthenia gravis is a disease of the department of neurology and its incidence is not low, it is also relatively common clinically. The treatment of myasthenia gravis mainly includes the following points: First, if patients with myasthenia gravis also have a thymoma, it is recommended to surgically remove the thymoma as soon as possible, which can significantly alleviate the symptoms of myasthenia gravis and reduce the amount of medication needed. Second, provide patients with some medication, mainly some drugs that suppress the immune response, including some corticosteroids. The use of corticosteroids is relatively complex, and must be gradually increased or decreased under the advice of a doctor. Do not stop taking them on your own. There are also some drugs that are cholinesterase inhibitors, which can increase the content of acetylcholine in the synaptic gap, alleviating the patient's symptoms. In addition, research has confirmed that some new immunosuppressive agents can also be used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. In summary, the treatment of myasthenia gravis is a comprehensive subject and must be tailored according to the patient's condition.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Myasthenia Gravis Test Items

Myasthenia gravis is a common neurological disease, primarily an autoimmune disorder. It typically results in symptoms that are worse in the evening and fluctuate throughout the day, mainly manifesting as limb weakness, double vision, swallowing difficulties, and speech impairments. In severe cases, it can even affect respiration, leading to weakness of the respiratory muscles and necessitating the assistance of a ventilator. The key examinations for myasthenia gravis include: Firstly, a chest CT scan. Many patients with myasthenia gravis have thymic hyperplasia or thymomas, making this scan crucial. Secondly, repetitive nerve stimulation electromyography. This test can detect amplitude decrement in response to stimulation, which is significant for diagnosing the disease. Thirdly, testing for specific antibodies related to myasthenia gravis, such as acetylcholine receptor antibodies. The presence of these antibodies is very important for diagnosis. Additionally, other tests such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and thyroid function tests are also conducted.

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Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
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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.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
1min 10sec home-news-image

Myasthenia Gravis Clinical Manifestations

The clinical manifestations of myasthenia gravis include fluctuating weakness of specific striated muscles that is fatigue-prone. Symptoms are generally milder in the morning and worsen by night, increasing after sustained activity and alleviating after rest. Additionally, some patients may experience ocular muscle weakness, presenting with ptosis and diplopia, which could be among the earliest symptoms. Eye movement disorders may occur, preventing the eyes from looking to one side, and pupil abnormalities may be present. Facial muscle weakness can lead to cheek puffing and air leakage, inability to close the eyes, or asymmetry of the mouth, resembling a forced smile. There may also be weakness in the masticatory muscles, leading to difficulties in chewing and swallowing, potential speech impairments, and coughing when drinking water. Neck muscle weakness may manifest as difficulty in lifting the head. Muscle weakness can affect various limbs, primarily proximally, and respiratory muscle weakness can lead to breathing difficulties and dryness.