Myasthenia Gravis Flashcards
What is MG?
Grave muscular weakness
MG: What is the most common form?
Chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder
MG: What is this disease characterized by?
Fluctuating weakness of voluntary muscles
MG: Population Affected
- Can occur regardless of race, gender or age
- Most common in younger women (under 40) and older men (>60)
- Can occur in children
MG: Familial Inheritance?
Not thought to be directly inherited nor contagious (but can still occur in more than one member of the same family)
MG: Cure
No known cure for MG
MG: What are of the body is most commonly affected?
Muscles of the face
MG: Treatment
Immune supressive drugs and thymectomy (removal of thymus gland)
MG: Pathophysiology
Antibodies block, alter, or destroy the receptors for Acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, which prevents the muscle from contracting.
MG: Drug induced MG
Look at slide 6
MG: Symptoms
Severe weakness of myasthenia gravis may cause respiratory failure, requiring immediate emergency medical care
MG: Hallmark sign
Muscle weakness that worsens after period of activity and improves after periods of rest
MG: Muscles most often affected (but not always)
- Eye and eyelid movement
- Facial expression
- Chewing
- Talking
- Swallowing
MG: Diagnostic Tools
- Physical & neurological exam
- Edrophonium Test
- Blood Test
- Electrodiagnostics
- Diagnostic imaging
- Pulmonary function testing
