Myasthenia Gravis

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Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis is an incurable disease that causes muscles to easily become weak and tired during activities of daily living. Resting helps the muscles regain strength, but the cycle of getting tired and resting gets worse over time.

Myasthenia gravis is caused by a breakdown in communication between nerves and muscles. It first affects the muscles that control face, eye, and throat muscles. Symptoms may include eye drooping, double vision, and problems chewing or swallowing. It also can affect other muscles in the body.

Women under 40 and men over 60 are most likely to develop myasthenia gravis, but it can affect people of any age. Proper treatment often relieves symptoms.

Treatment

Nerves communicate with muscles by releasing chemicals into muscle cell receptor sites, causing muscles to move. With myasthenia gravis, the immune system produces chemicals called antibodies that block or destroy those receptor sites.

The disease often can be managed with treatments such as:

Medications that improve the nerve-to-muscle communication or reduce antibody production
Lifestyle changes involving exercise, rest, diet, and other routines
Filtering antibodies from the blood
Surgery to remove the thymus gland, which is part of the immune system

UAB Neuromuscular Disease Service

Over the past 40 years, the UAB Neuromuscular Disease Service has grown into an internationally recognized center for treating and better understanding neuromuscular conditions such as myasthenia gravis. We are home to Alabama’s only dedicated neuromuscular center. Our board-certified neurologists receive special training to provide complete care for a wide range of conditions, using the most advanced techniques.

Because UAB Medicine is a major center for research, patients may be able to participate in clinical trials of promising new therapies and receive medications and treatments not available at most other medical centers.