Does myasthenia gravis require hospitalization?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on December 23, 2024
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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.

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Can myasthenia gravis with eyelid drooping be cured?

Myasthenia gravis with ptosis is treatable. The ptosis is a manifestation of myasthenia gravis, which is generally mild. This type of myasthenia gravis is usually treatable with Pyridostigmine. If oral medication is ineffective, using steroids or immunosuppressants can also lead to recovery. This is typically a mild form of myasthenia gravis, so oral medication generally leads to a cure.

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Written by Tang Bo
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Types of myasthenia gravis crisis

Myasthenic crises are categorized into three types, all resulting from worsening conditions or improper treatment, leading to respiratory muscle weakness or paralysis and subsequent difficulty in breathing. The first type occurs due to various triggers or reduction in medication, or after the application of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors which temporarily alleviate the crisis, known as the cholinergic crisis. The second type is a result of excessive use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors during a cholinergic crisis. Beyond respiratory difficulties, symptoms may also include signs of toxicity such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, pupil constriction, excessive sweating, drooling, increased tracheal secretions, and potential muscle tremors, spasms, as well as anxiety, insomnia, confusion, seizures, and coma. The third type is the paradoxical crisis, where neither ceasing nor increasing medication doses alleviates the symptoms, typically occurring after long-term, high-dose medication use.

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Myasthenia gravis initial symptoms

Myasthenia gravis is characterized by fluctuating and fatigue-prone muscle weakness in certain specific striated muscles. Symptoms are generally milder in the morning and more severe in the evening, worsening with continued activity and alleviating after rest. The most common initial symptom is weakness of the external eye muscles, primarily presenting as asymmetrical ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid) or narrowing of the eye slit, along with diplopia, which refers to seeing double images. These are the most frequent initial symptoms, seen in over 50% of patients with myasthenia gravis. Additionally, some patients may experience disturbances in eye movement, facial muscle weakness, air leakage when puffing cheeks, incomplete eyelid closure, shallower nasolabial folds, as well as difficulty swallowing, speech articulation issues, choking while drinking, and potentially severe respiratory weakness.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Myasthenia gravis belongs to which department?

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease of the nervous system, primarily affecting the neuromuscular junction where synaptic function is significantly impaired. This disease falls under the purview of neurology, and most neurologists are quite familiar with myasthenia gravis, considering it a common and frequently occurring neurological condition. Patients with myasthenia gravis typically exhibit symptoms such as drooping eyelids, double vision, and general fatigue. They experience a pathological tiredness, feeling extremely exhausted after minor activities, although rest can alleviate symptoms. These symptoms are also commonly associated with the nervous system, so it is appropriate to consult the neurology department. Treatment for patients with myasthenia gravis may involve administering immunoglobulins or corticosteroids, depending on the situation, while also taking precautions to prevent potential complications.

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incidence of myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a disease of the neurology department. Its incidence rate is around one in one hundred thousand. The prevalence rate is around fifty per one hundred thousand. In China, the incidence rate in the south is slightly higher than in the north. This is an autoimmune disease of the nervous system. Generally, it is due to the production of some abnormal antibodies. These antibodies cause dysfunction in synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction, leading to corresponding clinical manifestations in patients. For example, extreme fatigue after physical activity that can only be alleviated by rest. Patients may also exhibit clinical symptoms such as ptosis, diplopia, and difficulty swallowing, and in severe cases, even respiratory muscle weakness may occur, requiring the use of a ventilator. This disease can occur at any age, affecting children as well as elderly men aged 70 to 80. Therefore, correct understanding of this disease and timely treatment are very important.