Myasthenia Gravis
#56
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic neuromuscular disease that causes muscle weakness in your voluntary muscles (muscles that you can consciously control, meaning your involuntary muscles, such as heart muscles, are not affected).
Cause
MG is an autoimmune disease, which means it occurs because your immune system attacks itself.
In MG, a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger that transmits signals between neurons and other cells in the body) called acetylcholine is unable to bind to its receptors due to the body attacking the receptor. This causes the muscle to be unable to contract, leading to muscle weakness.
Symptoms
Symptoms of MG include double vision, blurry vision, ptosis, difficulty swallowing, chewing, smiling, or breathing; slurred speech, trouble walking, and weakness in the arms, fingers, hands, legs, or neck.
Treatment
Treatment for MG helps reduce and improve muscle weakness, and includes medications such as anti-cholinesterase and corticosteroids.
Sources: