myasthenia gravis (mg) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks its own neuromuscular connections. mg affects the voluntary muscles of the body, especially the eyes, mouth, throat, and limbs. it develops when antibodies in the body attack normal receptors on muscle. a temporary form of mg may develop in an unborn baby when a woman with mg passes the antibodies to her baby. the symptoms may be a weak cry or suck and generalized weakness at birth. the symptoms of mg may look like other health problems. there are different forms of myasthenia due to different immune antibodies. symptoms in the less common forms may have different symptoms such as more neck weakness. your healthcare provider can diagnose mg based on your symptoms and certain tests. a common way to diagnose mg is to test how you respond to certain medicines.
if you respond to the medicine, it supports the diagnosis of mg. there is no cure for mg. but the symptoms can often be controlled. early detection is the key to managing the condition. the goal of treatment is to increase muscle function and prevent swallowing and breathing problems. the most serious complications of myasthenia gravis is myasthenic crisis which is a medical emergency. this is a condition of extreme muscle weakness, particularly of the diaphragm and chest muscles that support breathing. the airway may become blocked because of weakened throat muscles and a buildup of secretions. in severe crisis, a person may have to be placed on a special machine (ventilator or respirator) to help with breathing until muscle strength returns with treatment. certain medicines may interfere either with the disease or the action of the medicines you take for mg. there is no cure for myasthenia gravis. mg is a lifelong health condition. the goal of treatment is to increase general muscle function and prevent swallowing and breathing problems.
because myasthenia gravis weakens your muscles so you tire easily, you may wonder if exercise is a smart idea. the key is to pay attention to your body’s signals and exercise wisely. so can some of the medications you may take for your condition, like glucocorticoids. in fact, when you promote heart and lung health, it helps your muscles get more of what they need to function well. because symptoms can change from day to day, it’s important to talk with your doctor about how and when to exercise. go on daily short walks, either outside or on a treadmill. simply moving your body on a regular basis will benefit your health. even gentle yoga poses can increase your blood flow, help your heart, and reduce stress. these options don’t require the same balance as walking or biking but still raise your heart rate and work out your muscles. listen to your body. and don’t work out until you drop. do enough to get moving and stop before you wear your muscles out. if you don’t have a buddy to do your activities with, make sure you have a phone on you in case you need help.
your body will likely do best with short sessions instead of long workouts. rest as often as you need to and go as long as you feel good. you can build up your session times as you gain endurance. your proximal muscles are the ones closest to the trunk of your body. exercises that strengthen these include stationary bicycling and elliptical exercise. pay attention to when your energy levels are higher and try to fit your physical activity in then. try to do something you enjoy that moves your body every day. you may be able to do more than some people and less than others. keep your goals specific to your body and needs. they may recommend you check in with a physical therapist who can give you condition-specific exercises and set you up with a routine that works well for your limitations. learn what your doctor can do to ensure you are in the best mental state to improve. myasthenia gravis offers numerous options for treatment, available for all ages. ©2005-2022 webmd llc. webmd does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
this is a condition of extreme muscle weakness, particularly of the diaphragm and chest muscles that support breathing. breathing may become shallow or exercising with myasthenia gravis is possible. you just have to know how. read on for tips. myasthenia gravis (mg) is often complicated by respiratory failure, known as a myasthenic crisis. however, most of the patients who develop, .
the most serious complications of myasthenia gravis is a myasthenia crisis. this is a condition of extreme muscle weakness, particularly of the diaphragm and chest muscles that support breathing. breathing may become shallow or ineffective. weak neck muscles make it hard to hold up your head. when to see a doctor. talk to your doctor if you have difficulty: breathing; seeing weakness of the muscles in the chest wall and the muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest cavity (the diaphragm) can cause breathing respiratory failure usually occurs around the time of surgery (eg, after thymectomy) or during later stages of the disease. however, it can be a presenting, .
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