FREE ESSAY ON MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. The term "myasthenia" is Latin
for muscle weakness, and "gravis" for grave or serious. It is characterized by random
weakness of voluntary muscle groups. Muscle groups most commonly affected include the eye
muscles, facial, chewing and swallowing muscles, and shoulder and hip muscles. It is
typical for a myasthenic patient to have a flattened smile, droopy eyes and an
ineffective cough due to weak expiratory muscles, are all also associated with MG. Most
myasthenic patients usually don't complain of extensive feelings of fatigue. They
experience localized fatigue in specific, repeatedly used muscles. Today, MG is one of
the most thoroughly understood neurological disorders, which has lead to treatments,
which enormously improves the length and quality of life of myasthenics.
Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disease in which the lymphocytes in the blood produce
antibodies that destroy muscle-cell sites for the reception of acetylcholine molecules.
Normally, acetylcholine is used in signal transmission between nerves and muscles, its
goal is to provide muscle contractions.
The diagnosis for MG is often very difficult. Since there are many disorders that cause
weakness, a number of tests may be used to determine a diagnosis of MG. In addition to a
complete medical and neurological evaluation, a blood test for the abnormal antibodies
can be completed to see if they are present. Three studies are used for the diagnosis of
MG, anit-AchR antibody titers, the Tensilon test, and electromyography, including both
the Jolly test and single fiber EMG. Used together, these three studies are almost 100%
sensitive for Myasthenia Gravis. 
There is no known cure for MG, but there are effective treatments that allow many, bur
not all people with MG, to lead full regular lives. Therefore, the next concern would be
to decrease or eliminate the symptoms that go along with the disease. Common treatments
include medications, thymectomy and plasmaphersis. Thymectomy is the surgical removal of
the thymus glad. By removing the thymus gland it lessens the severity of the MG weakness
after many months. Plasmapheresis or plasma exchange is a procedure of removing the
abnormal antibodies from the plasma of the blood. This is brief due to the abnormal
antibodies continually producing. Treatment is based on the individual and their severity
of the MG weakness and the patient's age and sex.
There may be minimal restrictions on lifestyle, sexuality, and on some activities in many
cases. Chemicals such as pesticides and insecticides, hot tubs, and extremes in
temperature should be avoided, which can interfere with the AcH. Remission is possible
but there is no cure. The only hope for treatment for Myasthenia Gravis is depending upon
the testing and research that is continually being done.