What should I do if myasthenia gravis causes difficulty swallowing?

Written by Shi De Quan
Neurology
Updated on May 28, 2025
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Myasthenia gravis primarily manifests as an inability to swallow, affecting the pharyngeal muscles or the muscles involved in swallowing. Thus, difficulty in swallowing is also a symptom of myasthenia gravis. At this time, the main treatment should focus on the primary disease, administering medications such as neostigmine for myasthenia gravis, and using steroids or immunosuppressants in severe cases. If there is difficulty in swallowing, or if it persists for more than two or three days, a gastric tube can be inserted for nasal feeding to maintain nutrition. Then, as the symptoms of myasthenia gravis subside with medication, swallowing function can recover.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What is myasthenia gravis?

Myasthenia gravis is a group of neuromuscular junction disorders and is also an autoimmune disease of the nervous system. It primarily involves the production of certain antibodies in the body that attack the acetylcholine receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction. This results in the inability of nerve impulses to be effectively transmitted to the muscles, causing the muscles to lose neural control, leading to weakness of the limbs. This weakness is typically more pronounced in the evening than in the morning, with symptoms being lighter upon waking and worsening in the afternoon. As the disease is caused by an autoimmune response, a major focus of treatment is to suppress this abnormal immune reaction, primarily through the administration of corticosteroids. Additionally, many patients with myasthenia gravis also exhibit thymus abnormalities, necessitating thorough CT examinations of the thymus.

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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 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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can myasthenia gravis be cured?

Myasthenia gravis is a type of disease in the field of neurology and is categorized as an autoimmune disorder of the nervous system. Generally, this disease tends to recur easily, and it is somewhat difficult to cure completely. However, there is a subtype called ocular myasthenia gravis, where patients only show symptoms of eyelid drooping or double vision. In this type, some patients can be cured, typically around 30%. However, most patients still experience recurrent episodes, and the condition may even progress to a generalized form. Other forms of myasthenia gravis are usually more severe, involving generalized weakness and potentially difficulties in swallowing or choking on liquids. Patients with these symptoms should seek medical attention promptly and can be treated with immunosuppressants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to control the symptoms, though long-term medication is generally required.

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Written by Zhang Hui
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What medicine should be taken for myasthenia gravis?

Myasthenia gravis is a type of neurological immunological disease in neurology, mainly caused by a disorder of the body's own immune function. Patients in the body will produce antibodies against acetylcholine receptors, thus affecting the transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction. For this disease, the following medications are generally prescribed: The first type of medication is a cholinesterase inhibitor, which can increase the amount of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thereby effectively improving clinical symptoms. The second type of medication is corticosteroids, because this disease is caused by an abnormal inflammatory response. Therefore, taking corticosteroids can suppress the inflammatory response. Treatment generally starts with a small dose and gradually increases, maintaining for a period before gradually tapering off. It may also be necessary to take other immunosuppressants. (Please take the medication under the guidance of a doctor)