Can myasthenia gravis use non-invasive ventilators?

Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
Updated on December 26, 2024
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Myasthenia gravis can be treated with a non-invasive ventilator, and it is generally manageable with medication. Early stages of myasthenia gravis may present with symptoms such as ptosis, poor breathability, respiratory difficulty, worsening symptoms after activity, and increased severity in the evening. Respiratory weakness might require treatment with a non-invasive ventilator. If respiratory weakness does not improve with medication and leads to respiratory failure, it is advisable to use a non-invasive ventilator to improve the patient's symptoms and alleviate difficulties. Respiratory muscle weakness can be life-threatening and requires active treatment.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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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
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The difference between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and myasthenia gravis

These two are distinctly different diseases. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) refers to a motor neuron disease, which is a degenerative neurological condition primarily affecting the upper and lower motor neurons. Patients may exhibit symptoms such as muscle atrophy, muscle twitching, general weakness, as well as potential difficulties in swallowing, articulation disorders, and atrophy of the tongue muscles. The mechanism of this disease is not very clear, symptoms progressively worsen, and there are no effective treatment methods. Neurogenic changes can be observed in electromyography. Myasthenia gravis, on the other hand, is a typical neuromuscular junction disease caused by immune dysfunction. It presents with skeletal muscle fatigue and weakness, typically worsening in the evening. Treatment with immunosuppressants has been shown to be effective.

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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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to alleviate myasthenia gravis?

Myasthenia gravis is a disease of the department of neurology and its incidence is not low, it is also relatively common clinically. The treatment of myasthenia gravis mainly includes the following points: First, if patients with myasthenia gravis also have a thymoma, it is recommended to surgically remove the thymoma as soon as possible, which can significantly alleviate the symptoms of myasthenia gravis and reduce the amount of medication needed. Second, provide patients with some medication, mainly some drugs that suppress the immune response, including some corticosteroids. The use of corticosteroids is relatively complex, and must be gradually increased or decreased under the advice of a doctor. Do not stop taking them on your own. There are also some drugs that are cholinesterase inhibitors, which can increase the content of acetylcholine in the synaptic gap, alleviating the patient's symptoms. In addition, research has confirmed that some new immunosuppressive agents can also be used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. In summary, the treatment of myasthenia gravis is a comprehensive subject and must be tailored according to the patient's condition.

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Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
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Is myasthenia gravis an autoimmune disease?

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the neuromuscular junction, leading to abnormalities in acetylcholine receptors. This can cause weakness in some or all skeletal muscles, which easily fatigues, particularly after activity or exertion, with symptoms worsening. Symptoms can be alleviated after rest or treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors. As an autoimmune disease, myasthenia gravis often co-occurs with other autoimmune disorders such as hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of myasthenia gravis typically lessen in the morning and worsen after activity, showing a pattern of being lighter in the morning and heavier in the evening.