Myasthenia Gravis Research Paper

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disease that targets the neuromuscular junction resulting in impaired impulse transmission and skeletal muscle weakness. The muscular weakness may exacerbate during periods of activity while improving after periods of rest, occurring with various severities. Muscles that control the eyes, eyelids, facial expression, swallowing, and talking can also be affected. Symptoms are presented as drooping of the eyelids, called ptosis, blurred or double vision, called diplopia, impaired speech, called dysarthria, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, waddling gait, and fatigued arms and legs. Although myasthenia gravis can affect people of all ages, it is most common among women under 40 and men above the …show more content…
One of the drugs used to help improve muscle contraction and increase muscle contraction are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. This allows acetylcholine to be bound to the few available receptors for longer amount time. In general, this approach is mostly beneficial for patients who have a milder form oft the disease. Furthermore, inhibitors like pyridostigmine may cause bradycardia, particularly in elderly patients. Doses in high amounts also cause increased muscle cramps, sweating, and diarrhea. Corticosteroids can also be used to inhibit the immune system and antibody production. However, the adverse effects of long-term use include diabetes, weight gain, loss of bone mass, and higher risks of infections. Other immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine, can also be used to alter the immune system. The negative side effects are vomiting, nausea, increased risk of infection, and damage to the liver or kidneys. Azathioprine is the most used choice of immunosuppressive therapy but has a delayed time of onset. In order to treat acute exacerbations, a procedure called plasmapheresis is used to filter the blood via a machine and remove the antibodies blocking the receptors at the neuromuscular junction. The effects only last for a few weeks and it becomes more difficult to gain access to veins after repeated treatments. In addition, there are risks of muscle cramps, drop is blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, and bleeding. Another treatment option is the administration of intravenous immunoglobins (IVIg) which changes the immune system response by modulating the pathogenic autoantibody response, suppression of T-cells, and inhibition of complement activation. Although there are fewer risks compared to immunosuppressant therapy and