Myasthenia Gravis: Common Symptoms and Treatment Options

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the communication between nerves and muscles, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue. This condition can impact various muscle groups throughout the body, causing a wide range of symptoms that may vary from person to person.

Common Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis

One of the most frequently observed symptoms is generalized fatigue, where patients often feel unusually tired and lack physical strength. Muscle weakness tends to worsen with activity and improves with rest, making daily tasks challenging for those affected.

Eye-Related Symptoms

Many individuals with MG experience ptosis, or drooping of the eyelids. Double vision (diplopia) is also common due to weakness in the eye muscles. These symptoms can significantly affect a person's vision and overall quality of life.

Facial and Oral Muscle Weakness

Weakness in the facial muscles can lead to difficulties with chewing and maintaining facial expressions. Patients may find it hard to smile fully or keep their mouths closed, which can cause discomfort and affect speech clarity.

Swallowing and Speech Difficulties

When the muscles involved in swallowing become weak, patients may struggle with dysphagia—difficulty swallowing. This can lead to choking or aspiration risks. Speech may also become slurred or nasal in quality due to weakness in the muscles controlling articulation.

Respiratory Muscle Involvement

In more severe cases, Myasthenia Gravis can affect the muscles responsible for breathing, resulting in shortness of breath or respiratory insufficiency. This is a serious complication that requires immediate medical attention.

Diagnostic and Treatment Approaches

Due to the variety of symptoms associated with MG, doctors often recommend imaging tests such as CT scans to evaluate the thymus gland. The thymus plays a role in the development of the immune system, and abnormalities like thymic hyperplasia or thymomas (tumors) are commonly found in MG patients.

Thymectomy as a Treatment Option

For patients with thymomas or significant thymic enlargement, a surgical procedure called thymectomy may be recommended. This involves removing the entire thymus gland along with surrounding fatty tissue to ensure complete removal of any tumors.

Thymectomy has been shown to improve symptoms in many MG patients and, in some cases, can lead to long-term remission. The procedure is typically performed by a thoracic surgeon and is considered a key treatment strategy for selected individuals with Myasthenia Gravis.