Is myasthenia gravis an autoimmune disease?

Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
Updated on March 13, 2025
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Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the neuromuscular junction, leading to abnormalities in acetylcholine receptors. This can cause weakness in some or all skeletal muscles, which easily fatigues, particularly after activity or exertion, with symptoms worsening. Symptoms can be alleviated after rest or treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors. As an autoimmune disease, myasthenia gravis often co-occurs with other autoimmune disorders such as hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of myasthenia gravis typically lessen in the morning and worsen after activity, showing a pattern of being lighter in the morning and heavier in the evening.

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Written by Xie Wen
Neurology
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Myasthenia Gravis Surgical Treatment

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease, with many patients also having a thymoma. The thymus is a very important immune organ in humans, and abnormal proliferation of the thymus can produce acetylcholine receptor antibodies. These antibodies circulate to the neuromuscular junction and participate in the antigen-antibody reaction, leading to the onset of myasthenia gravis. By removing the thymus, the initiating antigens of the patient's autoimmune response can be eliminated, reducing the involvement of T cells, B cells, and cytokines in the autoimmune response. This surgery is suitable for patients with thymic hyperplasia and high acetylcholine receptor antibody titers, or those with various types of myasthenia gravis with thymoma, as well as young women with generalized myasthenia gravis, and those who are dissatisfied with cholinesterase inhibitor treatment. About 70% of patients can experience symptom relief or complete recovery after surgery.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What medicine should be taken for myasthenia gravis?

Myasthenia gravis is a type of neurological immunological disease in neurology, mainly caused by a disorder of the body's own immune function. Patients in the body will produce antibodies against acetylcholine receptors, thus affecting the transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction. For this disease, the following medications are generally prescribed: The first type of medication is a cholinesterase inhibitor, which can increase the amount of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thereby effectively improving clinical symptoms. The second type of medication is corticosteroids, because this disease is caused by an abnormal inflammatory response. Therefore, taking corticosteroids can suppress the inflammatory response. Treatment generally starts with a small dose and gradually increases, maintaining for a period before gradually tapering off. It may also be necessary to take other immunosuppressants. (Please take the medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Myasthenia Gravis Test Items

Myasthenia gravis is a common neurological disease, primarily an autoimmune disorder. It typically results in symptoms that are worse in the evening and fluctuate throughout the day, mainly manifesting as limb weakness, double vision, swallowing difficulties, and speech impairments. In severe cases, it can even affect respiration, leading to weakness of the respiratory muscles and necessitating the assistance of a ventilator. The key examinations for myasthenia gravis include: Firstly, a chest CT scan. Many patients with myasthenia gravis have thymic hyperplasia or thymomas, making this scan crucial. Secondly, repetitive nerve stimulation electromyography. This test can detect amplitude decrement in response to stimulation, which is significant for diagnosing the disease. Thirdly, testing for specific antibodies related to myasthenia gravis, such as acetylcholine receptor antibodies. The presence of these antibodies is very important for diagnosis. Additionally, other tests such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and thyroid function tests are also conducted.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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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.

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Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
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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.