Will severe myasthenia gravis swallowing difficulties improve?

Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
Updated on November 10, 2024
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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.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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Myasthenia Gravis Clinical Manifestations

The clinical manifestations of myasthenia gravis include fluctuating weakness of specific striated muscles that is fatigue-prone. Symptoms are generally milder in the morning and worsen by night, increasing after sustained activity and alleviating after rest. Additionally, some patients may experience ocular muscle weakness, presenting with ptosis and diplopia, which could be among the earliest symptoms. Eye movement disorders may occur, preventing the eyes from looking to one side, and pupil abnormalities may be present. Facial muscle weakness can lead to cheek puffing and air leakage, inability to close the eyes, or asymmetry of the mouth, resembling a forced smile. There may also be weakness in the masticatory muscles, leading to difficulties in chewing and swallowing, potential speech impairments, and coughing when drinking water. Neck muscle weakness may manifest as difficulty in lifting the head. Muscle weakness can affect various limbs, primarily proximally, and respiratory muscle weakness can lead to breathing difficulties and dryness.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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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.

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Written by Tang Li Li
Neurology
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Myasthenia gravis should be seen in the Neurology department.

Patients with myasthenia gravis should consult the department of neurology, as myasthenia gravis is an immune-related neuromuscular junction disorder. Patients often exhibit pathological fatigue, skeletal muscle involvement, and unaffected smooth muscles. The most common type is ocular myasthenia, followed by mild and moderate generalized forms. Adult patients often have thymomas or thymic hyperplasia. Upon diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, it is essential to perform a comprehensive thymic CT scan. If thymic abnormalities are present, referral to thoracic surgery for treatment is needed. If there is no thymic disease, high-dose steroid pulse therapy may be considered. Additionally, it is crucial to determine whether the patient has other coexisting immune abnormalities, such as hyperthyroidism or connective tissue disease, and tailor the treatment accordingly.

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Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
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Can people with myasthenia gravis eat mangoes?

Patients with myasthenia gravis can eat mangoes and should consume more fresh vegetables and fruits. Mangoes are rich in flesh and fiber, and they taste sweet. They can help reduce cholesterol, quench thirst, promote blood circulation, improve circulation, and provide vitamins. Therefore, if patients with myasthenia gravis are not allergic to mangoes, they can include them in their diet. Mangoes contain a high amount of vitamins and are very nutritious. They also help facilitate bowel movements. Patients with myasthenia gravis should maintain a light diet, consuming foods that are high in protein, nutrition, and vitamins, and avoid spicy, stimulating, and exciting foods.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How is myasthenia gravis diagnosed?

Myasthenia gravis is essentially an immunoreactive disease in neurology, primarily caused by immune dysfunction in the body, leading to the production of autoantibodies. These antibodies attack the acetylcholine receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, resulting in corresponding clinical symptoms such as ptosis, diplopia, and general fatigue. The examination of myasthenia gravis mainly includes the following aspects: first, the completion of the Tensilon test, and if the test is positive, myasthenia gravis should be considered; second, the examination should include repetitive nerve stimulation electromyography, and if there is a significant decrement in wave amplitude, this disease should be considered; third, relevant blood tests should be conducted, mainly to check for acetylcholine receptor antibodies, as positive results for these antibodies are important in supporting this diagnosis.