Explore Over 11,000+ Conditions, Medications, and Symptoms.
Get a personalized feed by signing up for free.
All Conditions
Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023
General
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks itself by mistake. MG results from antibodies that block or destroy receptors at the junction between the nerve and muscle. This prevents nerve impulses from triggering muscle contractions, And therefore leads to varying degrees of muscle weakness. The most commonly affected muscles are those of the eyes, face, and swallowing, but other muscles may be involved too. Those affected with MG often have a large thymus or develop a thymoma.
96 people with Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
Learn from others who are experiencing Myasthenia Gravis (MG).
Signs & symptoms
Myasthenia gravis symptoms may include droopy eyelids, double vision, difficulty making expressions, problems chewing, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, weak arms, legs or neck, and shortness of breath.
Diagnosis
your doctor will take a detailed history of your symptoms and medical background. They'll also perform a full physical exam including a neurological exam that consists of checking your reflexes, muscle tone, eye movements, sensation testing, motor function and more. Other tests that can help your doctor diagnose the condition include: * blood testing for antibodies associated with MG * Ice test - Applying ice for 2–5 minutes to the muscles improves muscle strength in MG patients * electrophysiologic studies - conducted by placing an electrode over a muscle and stimulating the motor nerve to that muscle. * imaging of the chest using X-ray, CT or MRI to visualize the thymus gland
Treatment
treatment may include: * medications that increase communication between nerves and muscles, such as pyridostigmine (Mestinon) Corticosteroids and immunosuppressants to suppress the immune system * Rapid and short-acting treatments that modulate the immune system: plasma exchange (removes harmful antibodies from the blood) and intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). * Surgical removal of the thymus gland * lifestyle changes – rest, avoid stress and heat, avoid certain medications
Note
☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike
Latest Discussions
'%3e%3cpath%20d='M19.9989%2017.668C29.9347%2017.668%2038%2025.7333%2038%2035.669V47.9566C38%2053.2994%2033.6627%2057.6367%2028.3199%2057.6367H11.6801C6.3373%2057.6367%202%2053.2994%202%2047.9566V35.669C2%2025.7333%2010.0653%2017.668%2020.0011%2017.668H19.9989Z'%20fill='%23FFC1C1'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M27.8832%2012.2617H11.4798C10.0092%2012.2617%208.81696%2013.4539%208.81696%2014.9246C8.81696%2016.3953%2010.0092%2017.5875%2011.4798%2017.5875H27.8832C29.3538%2017.5875%2030.5461%2016.3953%2030.5461%2014.9246C30.5461%2013.4539%2029.3538%2012.2617%2027.8832%2012.2617Z'%20fill='%23FF6D90'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M19.6815%2012.2606C20.858%2012.2606%2021.8118%2011.3068%2021.8118%2010.1303C21.8118%208.95377%2020.858%208%2019.6815%208C18.505%208%2017.5512%208.95377%2017.5512%2010.1303C17.5512%2011.3068%2018.505%2012.2606%2019.6815%2012.2606Z'%20fill='%23FFC1C1'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cpath%20fill-rule='evenodd'%20clip-rule='evenodd'%20d='M24.0178%2028.0116C24.6677%2027.9246%2025.2715%2028.3376%2025.3662%2028.9339C25.3863%2029.0603%2025.4778%2029.3091%2025.6667%2029.5059C25.8226%2029.6683%2026.0595%2029.8174%2026.5%2029.8174C26.9405%2029.8174%2027.1774%2029.6683%2027.3333%2029.5059C27.5222%2029.3091%2027.6137%2029.0603%2027.6338%2028.9339C27.7285%2028.3376%2028.3323%2027.9246%2028.9822%2028.0116C29.6321%2028.0985%2030.0822%2028.6525%2029.9874%2029.2489C29.9112%2029.7283%2029.6561%2030.3881%2029.1181%2030.9485C28.5471%2031.5434%2027.6769%2032%2026.5%2032C25.3231%2032%2024.4529%2031.5434%2023.8819%2030.9485C23.3439%2030.3881%2023.0888%2029.7283%2023.0126%2029.2489C22.9178%2028.6525%2023.3679%2028.0985%2024.0178%2028.0116Z'%20fill='%23453D3D'%20stroke='%23FFC1C1'%20stroke-width='0.5'%20stroke-linecap='round'/%3e%3cpath%20fill-rule='evenodd'%20clip-rule='evenodd'%20d='M11.0178%2028.0116C11.6677%2027.9246%2012.2715%2028.3376%2012.3662%2028.9339C12.3863%2029.0603%2012.4778%2029.3091%2012.6667%2029.5059C12.8226%2029.6683%2013.0595%2029.8174%2013.5%2029.8174C13.9405%2029.8174%2014.1774%2029.6683%2014.3333%2029.5059C14.5222%2029.3091%2014.6137%2029.0603%2014.6338%2028.9339C14.7285%2028.3376%2015.3323%2027.9246%2015.9822%2028.0116C16.6321%2028.0985%2017.0822%2028.6525%2016.9874%2029.2489C16.9112%2029.7283%2016.6561%2030.3881%2016.1181%2030.9485C15.5471%2031.5434%2014.6769%2032%2013.5%2032C12.3231%2032%2011.4529%2031.5434%2010.8819%2030.9485C10.3439%2030.3881%2010.0888%2029.7283%2010.0126%2029.2489C9.91782%2028.6525%2010.3679%2028.0985%2011.0178%2028.0116Z'%20fill='%23453D3D'%20stroke='%23FFC1C1'%20stroke-width='0.5'%20stroke-linecap='round'/%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
Alike Wisdom
Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences
You Might Also Like
First IVIG Treatment: What to Expect?
Based on the posts, there are several individuals who have been diagnosed with **Myasthenia Gravis** at a young age and are struggling with similar issues. They discuss their experiences with symptoms, treatments, and the emotional impact of the disease. Some have also undergone surgery, such as a thymectomy, in an attempt to manage their condition.
Struggling with Myasthenia Gravis at 24, seeking support
Possible Connection Between Fibromyalgia, Hashimotos, and Myasthenia Gravis?
IVIG Treatment for Myasthenia Gravis
Whole Food Plant Based Diet for Myasthenia Gravis
'%3e%3cpath%20d='M18.1275%2019.4574H9.64406L7.23721%2025.7665H0.535156L9.55128%203.73926H18.2836L27.2834%2025.7676H20.5333L18.1275%2019.4574ZM13.7264%208.01919C13.2352%209.40217%2012.5803%2011.177%2012.052%2012.5971L11.3163%2014.5793H16.4575L15.7185%2012.5655C15.2087%2011.1639%2014.5516%209.3978%2014.0539%208.01919H13.7264Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M29.5195%203.10938H35.5612V25.7665H29.5195V3.10938Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M39.5898%2010.0332H45.6479V25.7678H39.5898V10.0332Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M49.6562%203.10938H55.6979V16.8923L55.7765%2016.9075L60.4025%2010.0319H67.5139L61.6141%2017.8364L67.861%2025.7665H60.576L55.7765%2018.8439L55.6979%2018.8592V25.7665H49.6562V3.10938Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M79.9824%2019.2785C79.6986%2020.2576%2078.7609%2020.9627%2077.5133%2021.157C75.8072%2021.4234%2074.4865%2020.5992%2073.9669%2018.7011L85.5121%2016.8978C84.9784%2011.6464%2081.0925%208.98853%2075.8531%209.80719C70.474%2010.6477%2067.4799%2014.5226%2068.221%2019.2643C68.9589%2023.9907%2072.9834%2026.8178%2078.3942%2025.9729C82.9743%2025.2579%2086.1594%2022.2791%2086.1136%2018.3147L79.9824%2019.2785ZM76.5866%2013.7062C77.9074%2013.5686%2078.8985%2014.1341%2079.3995%2015.2485L73.9822%2015.8107C74.3566%2014.61%2075.2604%2013.8437%2076.5866%2013.7062Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M42.6056%207.87737C40.3156%207.87737%2038.5898%206.37214%2038.5898%204.37571C38.5898%202.38147%2040.3167%200.878418%2042.6056%200.878418C44.8946%200.878418%2046.6214%202.38147%2046.6214%204.37571C46.6225%206.37214%2044.8957%207.87737%2042.6056%207.87737Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0'%3e%3crect%20width='85.5768'%20height='25.243'%20fill='white'%20transform='translate(0.535156%200.878418)'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Alike is a transformative platform that goes beyond just bringing together patients; it meticulously connects individuals based on multiple critical factors, such as age, gender, comorbidities, medications, diet, and more, fostering a community of knowledge, support and empathy.
© 2020-2024 Alike, Inc