What should people with myasthenia gravis pay attention to in their daily lives?

Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
Updated on November 18, 2024
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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.

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Written by Shi De Quan
Neurology
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Patients with myasthenia gravis should pay attention to certain things.

People with myasthenia gravis should primarily avoid fatigue in their daily lives, as symptoms can flare up when tired. Symptoms are generally milder in the morning and become more severe in the evening or night due to fatigue. Therefore, it is important to maintain a regular routine and schedule to avoid becoming too fatigued. Additionally, catching a cold or fever can worsen the condition, so it is crucial to try to avoid these issues. Regarding medication, it is essential to take it regularly, for example, every eight hours if taken three times a day. Proper timing and dosage control are important. If severe myasthenia gravis crises occur, they can be very problematic.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What should I do if myasthenia gravis is accompanied by a fever?

Patients with myasthenia gravis are most afraid of developing a fever, as a fever may indicate an infection, especially a bacterial infection. If a bacterial infection occurs, it can easily trigger a myasthenic crisis. The patient may experience weakness in breathing and even respiratory failure, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is essential to address the situation promptly. The recommended approach when a fever occurs is as follows: First, quickly determine the cause of the fever, complete routine blood tests, calcitonin, and other relevant assays to confirm if it is caused by a bacterial infection. Second, symptomatically manage the fever, possibly using antipyretic medications. Third, if it is a bacterial infection, it is crucial to promptly administer a significant amount of effective antibiotics to treat it. Controlling the bacterial infection can prevent the progression of myasthenia gravis to a more severe state. (Note: Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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Does myasthenia gravis require hospitalization?

Myasthenia gravis in its early stages requires hospital treatment. It is an autoimmune disease characterized by a post-synaptic membrane failure at the neuromuscular junction due to decreased acetylcholine. It generally manifests as skeletal muscle weakness, with symptoms often being lighter in the morning and more severe by evening, and includes easy fatigability. In such cases, even without a definitive diagnosis, hospitalization is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment, which may involve steroids or pyridostigmine. Treatment must be directed by a doctor. Once the condition stabilizes, the patient can be discharged and continue with oral medication. However, if a myasthenic crisis or other critical conditions occur, immediate hospitalization is necessary to maintain vital signs, as these situations can be life-threatening.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How is myasthenia gravis diagnosed?

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 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.