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 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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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.

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Written by Xie Wen
Neurology
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Myasthenia Gravis Surgical Treatment

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease, with many patients also having a thymoma. The thymus is a very important immune organ in humans, and abnormal proliferation of the thymus can produce acetylcholine receptor antibodies. These antibodies circulate to the neuromuscular junction and participate in the antigen-antibody reaction, leading to the onset of myasthenia gravis. By removing the thymus, the initiating antigens of the patient's autoimmune response can be eliminated, reducing the involvement of T cells, B cells, and cytokines in the autoimmune response. This surgery is suitable for patients with thymic hyperplasia and high acetylcholine receptor antibody titers, or those with various types of myasthenia gravis with thymoma, as well as young women with generalized myasthenia gravis, and those who are dissatisfied with cholinesterase inhibitor treatment. About 70% of patients can experience symptom relief or complete recovery after surgery.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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Myasthenia Gravis Best Treatment

The treatment of myasthenia gravis should also be individualized, specifically based on the actual condition of the patient. First and foremost, a clear diagnosis is essential. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, cholinesterase inhibitors can be used, but the dosage and frequency must be decided based on the patient's individual condition. Additionally, if the patient has a thymoma or thymic hyperplasia, a surgeon should determine whether surgical treatment is necessary. It is also necessary to consider whether to use steroids or plasmapheresis. In the event of a myasthenic crisis, symptomatic treatment should be provided according to the situation to maintain the patient's vital signs, and it is crucial to diagnose and treat early.

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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.)