myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia Gravis

The cause of M.G. is unknown but is suspected to be an autoimmune disease. It has been theorized to be linked to thymus dysfunction.10% of M.G. patients have a benign tumor and 70% have hyperplastic changes of the thymus.

Rapid progression of the disease is referred to as a myasthenic crisis,indicating rapid onset of symptoms and severe weakness in the respiratory muscles.

M.G. impairs conduction of the nerve impulse across the neuromuscular synapse due to antibodies that attack and weaken the ACh receptors on the post-synaptic membrane.

www.mayoclinic.com/health/myastheniagravis/ds00375

Treatment for Myasthenia Gravis

www.medicinenet.com/myasthenia_gravis/article.htm

causes,symptoms,diagnosis, and treatment

www.neurologychannel.com/myastheniagravis/

an overview of M.G.

University of Maryland Med center