by Josue

Created on: June 08, 2008   Last Updated: June 11, 2008

Myasthenia gravis is a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the normal function of the muscles. When the muscle receives a message from a nerve it contracts, this is what normally happens. But when affected by myasthenia gravis this process is not completed. The acetylcholine is the chemical that delivers the message to a receptor in the surface of the muscle cell.

In myasthenia gravis the immune system makes antibodies that attack these receptors. The muscles can not contract as they don't receive any message, making the muscle weak. This weakness normally affects the muscles of the legs, arms, and face. Myasthenia gravis affects woman more frequently than men, normally between 20 and 30; in men commonly after age 50.

Symptoms:

It's not easy to predict the course of myasthenia gravis symptoms. The symptoms can be mild, of slow progress or develop quickly. Acute periods followed by almost complete remission are normal. Progressive weakness is the most common symptom that can be noticed when trying to hold heavy objects and the grip becomes progressively weaker. Weakness is more commonly present in the muscles of the neck, face, throat, and voice, causing problems to eat and speak. In some cases weakness in the arms and legs are present. In severe cases may cause breathing problems by the weakness of the involved muscles.

Treatment:

If you have the myasthenia gravis symptoms visit your doctor to get a blood test to check for the autoimmune antibodies that causes the disease. In some cases an edophonium injection may be needed to increase the levels of neurotransmitter acetylcholine for diagnosis purposes. The treatment depends on the severity of the disease.

People that experience only mild symptoms can have a treatment with medicines such as Diflucan (fluconazole), and most of the muscle functions will return to normal. In severe cases the use of corticosteroids in high dosages to reduce the immune system attacks and the inflammation are required.

If this is not enough the use of medications like CellCept to reduce the autoimmune attacks or the removal of the thymus gland may help, because is where the autoimmune attack comes from. Almost a total recovery can be achieved by removing the thymus gland. In other severe cases harmful antibodies can be filtered out the body by performing plasmapheresis.

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