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 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 Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
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Can metronidazole be used for myasthenia gravis?

Patients with myasthenia gravis must use ornidazole with caution and under the guidance of a doctor because the side effects of ornidazole may exacerbate myasthenia gravis. However, ornidazole is not relatively or absolutely contraindicated for patients with myasthenia gravis. Generally, the patient's side effects are observed, and if myasthenia gravis is aggravated, the use of ornidazole is recommended to be cautious or prohibited. Ornidazole can cause neurological reactions, including headache, fatigue, dizziness, trembling, limb numbness and weakness, convulsions, mental confusion, epileptic seizures, ataxia, and consciousness disturbances, and may cause peripheral nerve damage.

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Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
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Will severe myasthenia gravis swallowing difficulties improve?

Myasthenia gravis and difficulty swallowing generally improve with medication treatment. Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disease that typically presents with worsened muscle weakness and swallowing difficulties during fatigue. This condition requires targeted pharmacological treatment and further repetitive stimulation, which can involve specific medications and steroids. Swallowing difficulties associated with myasthenia gravis are typical of generalized myasthenia gravis, necessitating active pharmaceutical treatment, which usually has good outcomes. Avoid overworking, staying up too late, smoking, and excessive drinking. It is important to rest sufficiently, ensure ample sleep, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, and consume high-protein, nutritious foods.

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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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Is it dangerous to have a fever with myasthenia gravis?

Myasthenia gravis is a disease of the neuromuscular junction, essentially an autoimmune inflammatory response that causes generalized weakness and fatigue of the skeletal muscles, with symptoms that are less severe in the morning and worsen by the evening, and fluctuate over time. The weakness can be alleviated by rest. When patients with myasthenia gravis develop a fever, it is generally considered to be caused by an infection, perhaps a viral infection such as an upper respiratory tract infection, which can also induce fever. In such cases, the main treatment involves drinking plenty of water and consuming fresh vegetables and fruits. If necessary, some antiviral medications and antipyretics may be administered. If the fever is due to a bacterial infection, symptomatic treatment should be accompanied by the appropriate antibiotics. However, the choice of antibiotics must be made with caution. Patients with myasthenia gravis should not use aminoglycosides or fluoroquinolones, as these could exacerbate their condition. Penicillins or cephalosporins may be used instead. (Please consult a professional physician for specific medication guidance.)