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Myasthenia Gravis
What should I do if myasthenia gravis is accompanied by a fever?
Patients with myasthenia gravis are most afraid of developing a fever, as a fever may indicate an infection, especially a bacterial infection. If a bacterial infection occurs, it can easily trigger a myasthenic crisis. The patient may experience weakness in breathing and even respiratory failure, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is essential to address the situation promptly. The recommended approach when a fever occurs is as follows: First, quickly determine the cause of the fever, complete routine blood tests, calcitonin, and other relevant assays to confirm if it is caused by a bacterial infection. Second, symptomatically manage the fever, possibly using antipyretic medications. Third, if it is a bacterial infection, it is crucial to promptly administer a significant amount of effective antibiotics to treat it. Controlling the bacterial infection can prevent the progression of myasthenia gravis to a more severe state. (Note: Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can metronidazole be used for myasthenia gravis?
Patients with myasthenia gravis must use ornidazole with caution and under the guidance of a doctor because the side effects of ornidazole may exacerbate myasthenia gravis. However, ornidazole is not relatively or absolutely contraindicated for patients with myasthenia gravis. Generally, the patient's side effects are observed, and if myasthenia gravis is aggravated, the use of ornidazole is recommended to be cautious or prohibited. Ornidazole can cause neurological reactions, including headache, fatigue, dizziness, trembling, limb numbness and weakness, convulsions, mental confusion, epileptic seizures, ataxia, and consciousness disturbances, and may cause peripheral nerve damage.
Where should I go for treatment of myasthenia gravis?
Myasthenia gravis is classified as a neurology disease. Therefore, patients should visit the neurology department for medical consultation. Fundamentally, it is an immune disorder of the nervous system characterized by the production of abnormal antibodies. These antibodies affect the acetylcholine receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, thereby impacting the transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction, which leads to various clinical symptoms. Patients may experience ptosis, double vision, and potentially compromised swallowing function, causing overall weakness. Symptoms typically worsen towards the evening. Many patients also present with thymus abnormalities. Treatment generally involves oral medications, predominantly corticosteroids and cholinesterase inhibitors.
The difference between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and myasthenia gravis
These two are distinctly different diseases. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) refers to a motor neuron disease, which is a degenerative neurological condition primarily affecting the upper and lower motor neurons. Patients may exhibit symptoms such as muscle atrophy, muscle twitching, general weakness, as well as potential difficulties in swallowing, articulation disorders, and atrophy of the tongue muscles. The mechanism of this disease is not very clear, symptoms progressively worsen, and there are no effective treatment methods. Neurogenic changes can be observed in electromyography. Myasthenia gravis, on the other hand, is a typical neuromuscular junction disease caused by immune dysfunction. It presents with skeletal muscle fatigue and weakness, typically worsening in the evening. Treatment with immunosuppressants has been shown to be effective.
Myasthenia Gravis Clinical Manifestations
Myasthenia gravis is a type of immunological disease of the nervous system that belongs to neurology. The common clinical manifestations include the following aspects. First, some patients may experience ptosis, where they cannot open their eyes. It usually starts on one side and may also involve abnormal eye movements, such as difficulty in moving the eyes to the left or right, leading to double vision and other clinical manifestations. Second, some patients may experience dysphagia, such as difficulty swallowing, choking on water, and speech articulation disorders. Third, some patients may experience weakness in their limbs, especially an inability to perform strenuous physical activities, such as climbing stairs, which can be significantly affected. These clinical manifestations usually show a pattern of being less severe in the morning and more severe in the evening.
myasthenia gravis-related antibodies
Most cases of myasthenia gravis are mediated by acetylcholine receptor antibodies, involving cell-mediated immunity with complement, generally affecting the neuromuscular junction and causing a neuromuscular transmission disorder. This results in an acquired autoimmune disease of muscle weakness. However, a small number of patients with myasthenia gravis are mediated by muscle-specific kinase antibodies or low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 antibodies. Its main clinical manifestations include skeletal muscle weakness, fatigue, worsening with activity, and significant alleviation or reduction of symptoms after rest and the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Additionally, the disease can occur at any age, with females being more affected than males before the age of 40. Between 40 and 50 years old, the incidence rates between males and females are comparable, but after 50 years of age, the incidence rate in males is higher than in females.
Can myasthenia gravis use non-invasive ventilators?
Myasthenia gravis can be treated with a non-invasive ventilator, and it is generally manageable with medication. Early stages of myasthenia gravis may present with symptoms such as ptosis, poor breathability, respiratory difficulty, worsening symptoms after activity, and increased severity in the evening. Respiratory weakness might require treatment with a non-invasive ventilator. If respiratory weakness does not improve with medication and leads to respiratory failure, it is advisable to use a non-invasive ventilator to improve the patient's symptoms and alleviate difficulties. Respiratory muscle weakness can be life-threatening and requires active treatment.
Does myasthenia gravis require hospitalization?
Myasthenia Gravis is a type of neuroimmune disease within the field of neurology which fundamentally stems from issues with the patient's own immune function. Whether hospitalization is necessary depends critically on the severity of the disease. If Myasthenia Gravis manifests only as ocular symptoms, such as ptosis and double vision, hospitalization is generally not necessary. It is important to take certain medications, primarily cholinesterase inhibitors and corticosteroids, but regular outpatient follow-ups are essential. However, if Myasthenia Gravis is generalized, with noticeable whole-body weakness, particularly if accompanied by swallowing difficulties and coughing while drinking, hospitalization is required. If a myasthenic crisis occurs, presenting with respiratory muscle weakness and breathing difficulties, hospitalization is certainly needed, and admission to the ICU might be necessary.
What should people with myasthenia gravis pay attention to in their daily lives?
Patients with myasthenia gravis should be careful to continue taking their medications after being discharged from the hospital and must not change the dosage or administration of their medication on their own. It is important to avoid overexertion and emotional stimuli in daily life. One should ensure to get enough rest, maintain adequate sleep, and consume fresh vegetables and fruits. Avoid spicy, stimulating, and excitatory foods. Do not be overly sad or experience excessive emotional fluctuations. Pay attention to the risk of catching a cold and upper respiratory infections. Take precautions against exposure to cold and prevent infections. Balance work and rest, maintain regular life patterns, keep in good spirits, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid excessive emotional disturbances and stimuli.
Will severe myasthenia gravis swallowing difficulties improve?
Myasthenia gravis and difficulty swallowing generally improve with medication treatment. Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disease that typically presents with worsened muscle weakness and swallowing difficulties during fatigue. This condition requires targeted pharmacological treatment and further repetitive stimulation, which can involve specific medications and steroids. Swallowing difficulties associated with myasthenia gravis are typical of generalized myasthenia gravis, necessitating active pharmaceutical treatment, which usually has good outcomes. Avoid overworking, staying up too late, smoking, and excessive drinking. It is important to rest sufficiently, ensure ample sleep, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, and consume high-protein, nutritious foods.