MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

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MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

• By
• Terra Cunningham

2
DEFINITION

• A disorder of neuromuscular function thought to
  be due to the presence of antibodies to
  acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular
  junction3

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DISCOVERED IN

• First described in 1672 by Thomas Willis and
  later described in 1890 by German physicians,
  Samuel Goldflam, Wilhelm Erb, and Friedrich Jolly.

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SYMPTOMS

• Drooping of the eyelids
• Double vision
• Difficulty smiling, speaking, swallowing
• Difficulty raising the arms
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty breathing if chest muscle are affected

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CAUSE

• The cause is unknown
• Antibodies act against the acetylcholine
  receptor making a nerve come in contact with the
  muscle. The nerve cell conveys its message to
  tell the muscle to contract. The antibodies
  interfere with the message and the muscle
  contracts less efficiently. Resulting in the
  weakness of the arms or legs or of the muscles
  of the head.4

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PREVALENCE

• Today there are an estimated 50,000 cases in the
  United States
• Myasthenia Gravis can be found in anyone, but it
  is most common in females around the third
  decade of life1

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TREATMENT

• Symptomatic treatment medications that enhance
  the function of the acetylcholine system at the
  neuromuscular junction.
• Medications include Prostigmin, Mestinon,
  Mytelase, Tensilon
• Long range treatment is thymectomy.
• Thymectomy is the surgical removal of the thymus
  gland that lies behind the breastbone and
  overlies the heart.

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Lifestyles

• A person with Myasthenia Gravis can lead a normal
  life if the medications are taken in the correct
  dosages and at the right time of the day.

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References

• Colliers Encyclopedia with Bibliography and
  Index, 1988, volume 17.,Macmillan
• Dictionary of Medical Syndromes, 3rd edition,
  Magalini
• Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 26th
  edition, 1985, Saunders
• Encyclopedia Americana, 1993, volume 19., Grolier
• The Medical and Health Encyclopedia, volume 1.,
  Southwestern Company