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Myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis

What it is

Antibodies block the nerve-to-muscle signal; muscles tire with use.

Symptoms & signs

  • Drooping eyelids
  • double vision
  • weakness worse through the day
  • chewing and swallowing fatigue
  • breathing crisis

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Breathlessness, weak cough or trouble breathing lying down
  • call 112 / 911 now Cannot swallow saliva or chokes on food
  • see a doctor soon Weakness spreading or worse after a new medicine or infection
  • see a doctor soon Double vision or drooping eyelids getting worse

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Pyridostigmine
  • prednisolone
  • azathioprine
  • thymectomy
  • IVIG or plasma exchange in crisis
  • for AChR-antibody generalised MG: FcRn blockers (efgartigimod, rozanolixizumab) and complement inhibitors (eculizumab, ravulizumab, zilucoplan) — costly add-ons, not cures

Natural & lifestyle

  • Rest pacing
  • avoid heat
  • avoid aggravating drugs (aminoglycosides, beta blockers)

Emerging & experimental

  • CAR-T against B cells

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Exercise training — small trials show it is safe and helps early / small studies
  • Herbal 'immune boosters' (echinacea) — may stir the immune system; untested anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes