preview

Myasthenia Gravis Research Paper

Decent Essays

Local Disease - Myasthenia Gravis Introduction Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy neuromuscular connections which leads to problems with the nerves that control muscles. The disease is characterized by weakness and fatigability of skeletal muscles. The muscles mainly affected are that of the eye, mouth, throat and limbs. The key concept underlying the disease is the decrease in the number of available acetylcholine receptors at neuromuscular junctions due to an antibody mediated auto-immune attack. The disease was first documented by the great physiologist Thomas Willis about 300 years ago (1). More importantly, extensive research and studying has led to greater understanding of the disease during the …show more content…

(4)

Diagnosis Symptoms that arise due to Myasthenia gravis include common conditions such as drooping eyelids, muscle fatigue and loss of fine motor control that can be attributed to many other conditions as well. This can make diagnostics very tricky but thanks to the great understanding obtained through research into the disease, the diagnosis of Myasthenia gravis is fairly straightforward and there are a few techniques used as accepted tests. Physical examination
A routine of different muscles are subject to observation under repeated physical activity. This involves steps like looking upwards and sidewards for about 30 seconds, looking at the feet while lying on the back for 30 seconds which helps to identify diplopia and ptosis and keeping arms stretched forward for 60 seconds. Patients are unable to maintain prolonged extension of limbs due to fatigue. Blood …show more content…

Statistics have helped to conclude that Myasthenia gravis affects about 20 per 100,000 people worldwide. In Australia, a study published by Gattellari M, Goumas C and Worthington JM revealed that in 2009, there were 2574 prevalent cases of symptomatic and treated Myasthenia Gravis, corresponding to an annual crude prevalence rate of 117.1 per 1 million residents. An interesting fact revealed was that the disease tended to affect younger females and older females than other gender-age based groups. The method used for this study was utilization of prescriptions for Pyridostigmine Bromide from a national prescribing database to estimate incidence and the prevalence of symptomatic and treated disease. In reality, prevalence and cases take a higher figure because many cases remain undiagnosed or unreported. Treatment/therapies
The treatment of myasthenia gravis compromise of methods that are employed to supress the immune system from being hypersensitive and hyper-reactive. Also, invasive procedures like surgery is used to surgically remove the thymus.

Get Access