The sudden onset of double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty communicating and trouble walking can be frightening, but there are multiple effective treatments for myasthenia gravis.
Though myasthenia gravis can strike at any age, it tends to begin affecting women between 20 and 30, while onset usually doesn’t start in men until after 50. It’s a chronic, complex autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy the neuromuscular connections in your body, causing problems with communication between nerves and muscle. This affects the voluntary muscles in your body, especially your eyes, mouth, throat, and limbs.
Myasthenia gravis can cause double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty communicating and trouble walking – and the onset can be sudden. These can all be frightening things to experience, but there is good news. Multiple effective treatments exist for myasthenia gravis. Together with INTEGRIS Health physicians, neuroscientists and experts, we’ll do all we can to treat the disease, the symptoms and get you back to a normal, happy life.
The following are the most common symptoms for myasthenia gravis. However, you may experience symptoms differently – and these symptoms may resemble other conditions or medical problems, so it’s always best to talk with your doctor. myasthenia gravis symptoms include:
The diagnosis of myasthenia gravis is made after the sudden or gradual onset of specific symptoms and after diagnostic testing. One common way to diagnose myasthenia gravis is to test how you respond to certain medications. Muscle weakness often dramatically improves for a brief time when a person with myasthenia gravis is given an anticholinesterase medication. If you respond to the medication, it confirms myasthenia gravis.
Other diagnostic tests that may help confirm the diagnosis include:
There is no cure for myasthenia gravis, but the symptoms can generally be controlled. Myasthenia gravis is a lifelong medical condition and the key to medically managing it is early detection. The goal of treatment is to increase muscle function and prevent swallowing and breathing problems. Most people with this condition can improve their muscle strength and lead normal or near normal lives. In more severe cases, respiratory or nutritional support may be needed.
Specific treatment for myasthenia gravis will be determined by your doctor based on your age, overall health, medical history, the extent of the disease and your tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies. Of course, your personal opinions and preferences will also be taken into consideration. Treatment may include:
We strive to provide you with care that’s not only the best available, but care that’s convenient and as close to home as possible. These INTEGRIS Health locations near you are ready to help.
