Myasthenia Gravis: What You Need To Know
Myasthenia gravis is a rare, that can cause a person鈥檚 muscles to weaken, affecting their face muscles, diaphragm and throat. The disorder can affect people鈥檚 ability to make facial expressions, chew, talk clearly, swallow, lift their arms and walk.听
While myasthenia gravis is rare鈥攁bout 20 people per 100,000 in the United States have the disorder鈥攕ymptoms can look like those associated with other conditions. Because of the apparent similarities, myasthenia gravis is underdiagnosed, meaning it鈥檚 most likely more common than estimated.听
鈥淭here are no clear-cut risk factors or lifestyle choices that cause myasthenia gravis, and it鈥檚 not inherited or contagious,鈥 said Mary Vo, M.D. assistant professor of neurology and assistant attending neurologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/91麻豆精品 Medical College. 鈥淲e do know this is an autoimmune condition that manifests in adulthood. Women under 40 and men over 60 are typically diagnosed, but it can occur at any age, including childhood. As the population ages, we're noticing more men are affected than women.鈥听
Symptoms commonly associated with myasthenia gravis include:听
- Blurred or double vision听
- Changes in facial expressions听
- Difficulty swallowing听
- Drooping eyelids or eye muscle weakness听
- Impaired speech听
- Shortness of breath听
- Weakness in the arms, hands, fingers, legs and neck听
Additionally, myasthenia gravis can cause the muscles that control breathing to weaken to the point where a person needs a ventilator. Known as a myasthenic crisis, this medical emergency requires immediate medical care. Between 15% to 20% of people with myasthenia gravis experience a myasthenic crisis at least one time in their lives.听
The Promise of a Healthier Future听听
Researchers continue to gain a better understanding of myasthenia gravis, its causes, and the structure and function of the neuromuscular junction. Technological advances have led to