One of the most famous autoimmune diseases is myasthenia gravis. This ailment affects the neuromuscular system. The causes of myasthenia gravis may be different, but the symptoms of the disease for most organisms are the same. The disease is associated with increased fatigue in muscle fibers. Myasthenia gravis, both men and women, but as experience shows, the fair sex of the disease suffer much more often.
Causes of myasthenia gravis
Despite the fact that the study of the disease has been going on for many years, it is for certain that the myasthenia gravis is starting, experts can not say. Obviously, hereditary predisposition plays a significant role in the development of the disease. It is for this reason that myasthenia gravis can sometimes be observed even in newborns. However, after a few weeks, and even days, the illness of the kids passes by themselves.
Another possible cause of myasthenia gravis is a tumor of the thymus or thymus gland . In this case, antibodies are found in the tissues of the organ that damage healthy receptors that participate in the contraction of muscle fibers. Such antibodies are formed as a result of disorders occurring in the genes of proteins. The reason for all this is the unsatisfactory state of the immune system.
Symptoms of myasthenia gravis
There are three main forms of myasthenia gravis:
- generalized;
- eye;
- bulbar.
All of them can be congenital or acquired and lead to relaxation of striated muscles. This happens in most cases after physical exertion.
The main symptom of myasthenia gravis is double vision. In parallel with this manifestation of the disease, involuntary omission of the eyelids can occur. The patient's eyes get tired faster than usual, and this is observed against a background of light enough loads.
In most cases, in the first place, the muscles suffer, the impulses to which are fed directly from the cranial nerves. In the future, as the development of the disease can affect the muscles of the neck, limbs.
The longer the myasthenia gravis remains without attention, the more symptoms of the disease appear. A common symptom of the disease is also a violation of diction. Many patients after physical exertion are experiencing difficulties, trying to sound some simple words and phrases.
In addition, the generalized, bulbar and ocular myasthenia gravis can be recognized by the following symptoms:
- impairment of motor activity of the extremities in general and fingers in particular;
- violation of the normal breathing rhythm;
- problems with swallowing;
- decreased performance of the musculoskeletal system;
- frequent diarrhea or constipation;
- attacks of rapid heartbeat;
- Disorders in the work of the autonomic nervous system.
In the bulbar myasthenia, among other things, there are changes in speech. The voice of the patient becomes hoarse, coarse, hoarse and rather quiet. A generalized form of the disease
In the early stages after a short rest, the patient's condition completely comes back to normal. But over time, the symptoms of myasthenia gravis will remain even after a full relaxation.
Cope with the disease can be with the drugs, which include acetylcholine. The best means are Proserin or Kalimin. Additionally, corticosteroids and cytostatics may be prescribed. If necessary, the patient is removed thymus gland.