Myasthenia gravis (in rough translation ‘muscle weakness’) refers to a group of autoimmune neuromuscular illnesses. It results in muscle weakness and extreme fatigue. As in the case of any other autoimmune disease antibodies start to attack not the foreign cells but the cells of the body and in the case of myasthenia gravis they begin to attack the acetyl-choline receptor (the junction between nerve and muscle) and therefore evoke prevention of impulse transmission. In the end it leads to muscle weakness and constant fatigue.

There haven’t been found any exact reasons that lead to myasthenia gravis, though some theories exist. They include the influence of pathogens (viruses or bacteria), also hyperactive thymus gland and a hereditary factor as well.

The condition has got certain symptoms and eye muscle weakness is the most prominent one. The antibodies attack muscle receptors responsible for eye and eyelid movements’ control. The condition is frequently called ocular myasthenia gravis and can be the only visible sign of the illness. It can be therefore accompanied with double vision (diplopia) and droopy eyelids (ptosis) and increased light sensitivity. As the condition advances certain voluntary muscles also become weak and result in extreme fatigue. But the distinguishing feature of the condition is absence of muscle pain. Weakness is not necessarily present all the time but it gets worse at nighttime, in summer and after another infection episode. Myasthenia gravis also affects swallowing muscles and results in difficulty swallowing, also chewing and smiling. In some cases a patient’s speech can become slurred. In general the condition is characterized by fatigue and low energy levels resulting in muscle weakness, overall exhaustion and lethargy. Physical activities, even the mildest become a great trial and require excessive effort from the side of a person; and they also end up with tiredness.

Muscle weakness without muscle pain is the first symptom to suspect the condition of myasthenia gravis. Nevertheless it is not enough and further tests are required. They can include a simple blood test, also an electromyography to check the muscle impairment and in some cases a CT scan that can show the presence of a tumor in the thymus gland.

There is no particular treatment for the condition; it is generally done on the basic of trial and error. It should be taken into consideration that every treatment gets different response in every patient and therefore a doctor should be careful in order not to aggravate the condition. Anticholinesterase medication is usually given first; its purpose is to restore normal functioning of the neuromuscular transmission by killing the antibodies that act wrongly. Sometimes thymectomy is used. In order to suppress the symptoms steroids are used widely as well. It is true that the advance of immunosuppressive therapy has greatly improved and eased the treatment of the condition; still majority of people suffering from the condition require medication (i.e. steroid) therapy for an indefinite time period and only in this case their symptoms relive.

Myasthenia gravis is a very wide-spread condition and it affects people without any particular criteria. There are so many famous people who suffer from it and still are able to lead almost normal life. So, there is no need to despair. Of course, it is hard, but with a little effort, hope and patience it can be tolerated. And there is always hope that a cure will be discovered soon.