Where should I go for treatment of myasthenia gravis?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on February 05, 2025
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Myasthenia gravis is classified as a neurology disease. Therefore, patients should visit the neurology department for medical consultation. Fundamentally, it is an immune disorder of the nervous system characterized by the production of abnormal antibodies. These antibodies affect the acetylcholine receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, thereby impacting the transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction, which leads to various clinical symptoms. Patients may experience ptosis, double vision, and potentially compromised swallowing function, causing overall weakness. Symptoms typically worsen towards the evening. Many patients also present with thymus abnormalities. Treatment generally involves oral medications, predominantly corticosteroids and cholinesterase inhibitors.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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myasthenia gravis-related antibodies

Most cases of myasthenia gravis are mediated by acetylcholine receptor antibodies, involving cell-mediated immunity with complement, generally affecting the neuromuscular junction and causing a neuromuscular transmission disorder. This results in an acquired autoimmune disease of muscle weakness. However, a small number of patients with myasthenia gravis are mediated by muscle-specific kinase antibodies or low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 antibodies. Its main clinical manifestations include skeletal muscle weakness, fatigue, worsening with activity, and significant alleviation or reduction of symptoms after rest and the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Additionally, the disease can occur at any age, with females being more affected than males before the age of 40. Between 40 and 50 years old, the incidence rates between males and females are comparable, but after 50 years of age, the incidence rate in males is higher than in females.

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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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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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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incidence of myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a disease of the neurology department. Its incidence rate is around one in one hundred thousand. The prevalence rate is around fifty per one hundred thousand. In China, the incidence rate in the south is slightly higher than in the north. This is an autoimmune disease of the nervous system. Generally, it is due to the production of some abnormal antibodies. These antibodies cause dysfunction in synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction, leading to corresponding clinical manifestations in patients. For example, extreme fatigue after physical activity that can only be alleviated by rest. Patients may also exhibit clinical symptoms such as ptosis, diplopia, and difficulty swallowing, and in severe cases, even respiratory muscle weakness may occur, requiring the use of a ventilator. This disease can occur at any age, affecting children as well as elderly men aged 70 to 80. Therefore, correct understanding of this disease and timely treatment are very important.

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Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
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What should people with myasthenia gravis pay attention to in their daily lives?

Patients with myasthenia gravis should be careful to continue taking their medications after being discharged from the hospital and must not change the dosage or administration of their medication on their own. It is important to avoid overexertion and emotional stimuli in daily life. One should ensure to get enough rest, maintain adequate sleep, and consume fresh vegetables and fruits. Avoid spicy, stimulating, and excitatory foods. Do not be overly sad or experience excessive emotional fluctuations. Pay attention to the risk of catching a cold and upper respiratory infections. Take precautions against exposure to cold and prevent infections. Balance work and rest, maintain regular life patterns, keep in good spirits, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid excessive emotional disturbances and stimuli.