Myasthenia Gravis Overview
This Neurological Disease Causes Weakness of the Muscles
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disease that is autoimmune in nature. This neurological illness can cause facial and bodily muscular weakness.
Overview
Myasthenia gravis, Latin for "grave muscle weakness", is a neuromuscular disease (involving the nerves and muscular system.) Because this disorder is autoimmune in nature, the body's own immune system attacks or alters the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is used by the body to transmit nerve impulses to the muscles. Because of the lack of acetylcholine, the body's muscle movements can be weak/ impaired. Myasthenia gravis often affects the facial muscles, including the eyes, eye lids, and mouth. Muscle weakness can also be more diffuse throughout the body, affecting walking as well as breathing. A key sign of myasthenia gravis is the weakening of muscles during activity, then the recovery during periods of rest.
The thymus gland, one of the components for a healthy immune system, seems to be abnormal in patients with myasthenia gravis. Immune system cells can be overactive and produce a condition called "lymphoid hyperplasia", or extra immune response cells. Tumors can also develop in the thymus gland. Autoimmune disorders generally cause the body to attack its own tissue, for whatever reason. It is as though the immune system is in overdrive and cannot distinguish between innocent cells and foreign, bad cells. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine is what is attacked in people with myasthenia gravis. For further reference: www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myasthenia_gravis.
****For related information about facial weakness, see Myasthenia Gravis Diagnosis, Bell's Palsy, Bell's Palsy Diagnosis/Treatment, Bell's Palsy Symptoms, Bell's Palsy Lookalike?, and RH Syndrome:Diagnosis/Treatment.
****For related neurological information, check out the Neurological ARTICLE INDEX and Blog.
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