Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the neuromuscular junctions, which are the points where nerve cells connect with the muscles they control. This interference disrupts the communication between nerves and muscles, leading to weakness and fatigue in the affected muscles.
Common symptoms of myasthenia gravis include:
- Muscle weakness that worsens with activity and improves with rest.
- Drooping eyelids (ptosis).
- Double vision (diplopia).
- Difficulty speaking, chewing, swallowing, or controlling facial expressions.
- Weakness in the arms, hands, fingers, legs, and neck muscles.
- Fatigue, especially after prolonged activity.
Myasthenia gravis can affect people of any age, but it is more common in women under 40 and men over 60. The severity of symptoms can vary widely among individuals, ranging from mild weakness to severe disability. While there is no cure for myasthenia gravis, treatments such as medications, thymectomy (surgical removal of the thymus gland), and therapies to suppress the immune system can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for many people with the condition.