Myasthenia Gravis ( MG )

~ a rare neurological condition .
~ a disease that occurs when there is signal failure between the nerve endings and the muscle .
~ the muscle needs a signal from the nerve for it to move one's limb .
~ normally , the nerve endings release a substance called acetylcholine , which binds to the muscle tissue at the nerve - muscle junction , causing the muscle to contract .
~ MG happens when the body produces antibodies that block the binding of acetylcholine.
~It is an auto-immune disease.
~Early diagnosis can prevent many of the more serious symptoms.
~Is a treatable disease, can go into remission if well treated.
~must be treated by a neurologist.
~MG affect any muscle.
~symptoms:
:~drooping of one or both eye lids.
:~blurred or double vision.
:~problems getting up from a chair or going up stairs.
:~weakness in arms, hands, fingers, legs and neck.
:~change in facial expression.
:~having a hard time swallowing.
:~shortness of breath.
~long-term control is by oral medications.
~many patients may require surgical intervention.
~steroids work to help stabilize a patient's condition.
~common side effects of steroids~weight gain, easy bruising, higher risk of osteoporosis, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension.

Myasthenic Crisis
~occurs when weakness affects the muscles that control breathing ( shortness of breath ).
~pain in the chest after attacks ( may developed a phobia ).
~need oxygen mask.

Thymectomy
~is the surgical removal of the thymus gland which is typically abnormal in MG.