The difference between myasthenia gravis and muscular dystrophy

Written by Liu Hong Mei

Neurology

Updated on June 24, 2025

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Myasthenia gravis and muscular dystrophy are two different diseases, with significant differences in diagnosis, treatment, and examination.

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease, generally worsens with fatigue but can gradually improve with rest, and typically involves electrophysiological tests such as nerve conduction studies and repetitive stimulation tests.

Muscular dystrophy is usually a nutritional or genetic disease, generally characterized by progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, often not closely related to activity. It requires further hospital examinations such as electromyography, and brain CT or MRI scans to rule out other diseases. The treatment methods for myasthenia gravis and muscular dystrophy are also significantly different.

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Written by Tang Bo

Neurology

1min 10sec

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Myasthenia gravis initial symptoms

Myasthenia gravis is characterized by fluctuating and fatigue-prone muscle weakness in certain specific striated muscles. Symptoms are generally milder in the morning and more severe in the evening, worsening with continued activity and alleviating after rest. The most common initial symptom is weakness of the external eye muscles, primarily presenting as asymmetrical ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid) or narrowing of the eye slit, along with diplopia, which refers to seeing double images. These are the most frequent initial symptoms, seen in over 50% of patients with myasthenia gravis. Additionally, some patients may experience disturbances in eye movement, facial muscle weakness, air leakage when puffing cheeks, incomplete eyelid closure, shallower nasolabial folds, as well as difficulty swallowing, speech articulation issues, choking while drinking, and potentially severe respiratory weakness.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 16sec

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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.)

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

56sec

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What department is myasthenia gravis under?

Myasthenia gravis, this disease definitely requires registration with the Department of Neurology as it is a relatively common disease in neurology, and doctors in other departments are not particularly familiar with this disease, let alone diagnosis and treatment. Myasthenia gravis is an immune disease of the nervous system, and patients may experience generalized fatigue, which can be alleviated after rest. It is characterized by clinical symptoms that are lighter in the morning and more severe in the evening. Additionally, symptoms such as ptosis, double vision, and even some difficulties in swallowing and unclear speech, known as bulbar paralysis, may occur. This disease requires a thorough chest CT scan, as many patients have an associated thymoma. Furthermore, an electromyography examination is needed to check for antibodies related to myasthenia gravis, which is also important for guiding further treatment.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

47sec

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Myasthenia gravis should see which department?

Myasthenia gravis is a common disease in neurology, so when visiting the hospital, it is definitely necessary to see a neurologist. Neurologists have certain experience in diagnosing and treating this disease. This disease is classified as a neuromuscular junction disorder, mainly caused by the production of antibodies against acetylcholine receptors in the body. This leads to the nerve impulses not being effectively transmitted to the muscles, resulting in clinical manifestations. Patients' symptoms include improvement in the morning and worsening in the evening, fluctuating symptoms, and may present with drooping eyelids, double vision, general weakness, and some patients may also experience difficulty swallowing and speech disorders.

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Written by Liu Hong Mei

Neurology

1min

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The difference between myasthenia gravis and muscular dystrophy

Myasthenia gravis and muscular dystrophy are two different diseases, with significant differences in diagnosis, treatment, and examination. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease, generally worsens with fatigue but can gradually improve with rest, and typically involves electrophysiological tests such as nerve conduction studies and repetitive stimulation tests. Muscular dystrophy is usually a nutritional or genetic disease, generally characterized by progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, often not closely related to activity. It requires further hospital examinations such as electromyography, and brain CT or MRI scans to rule out other diseases. The treatment methods for myasthenia gravis and muscular dystrophy are also significantly different.