Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue.
The autoimmune cause means that the body's own defenses attack the junction between the nerve cell and the muscle, causing a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles.
The main characteristic of myasthenia gravis is a fluctuating muscle weakness that worsens during periods of muscle activity and improves during periods of rest. The most common symptoms are ocular, with drooping eyelids (ptosis) and double vision (diplopia). Other symptoms may include difficulty articulating speech (dysarthria), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), chewing fatigue, respiratory problems, and limb weakness.
Diagnosis is based on a detailed clinical history and physical examination, confirmed by blood tests and an electromyogram.
Treatment is based on supportive care and specific treatment with anticholinesterases, corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants.
- Shawn J Bird. Pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis. UpToDate. Septiembre 2016
- Shawn J Bird. Clinical manifestations of myasthenia gravis. UpToDate. Agosto 2016
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- Shawn J Bird. Treatment of myasthenia gravis. UpToDate. Mayo 2015
- Daniel B. Drachman. Miastenia grave y otras enfermedades de la sinapsis neuromuscular Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 461
- J. M.ª Grau Junyent. Enfermedades de la unión neuromuscular: miastenia grave y síndromes miasténicos. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna, ed 18. Capítulo 184
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/myasthenia-gravis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352036
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/myasthenia-gravis/
