Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune system disease that impacts the muscles. According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) the immune system attacks the body's own tissues inappropriately. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) suggests that MG interferes with the messages sent from the nerves to the muscles, including the muscles in the head, like the eye or mouth muscles. Symptoms of MG can be difficult to deal with but treatment is helpful.
Early Symptoms
According to eMedTV.com the earliest signs of MG include weakness of the eye muscles, trouble swallowing or slurred speech. Individual differences in muscle weakness are possible and can lead to mild to moderate lack of eye control. eMedTV.com reports that in rare cases individuals may initially experience trouble breathing but this is more often a late onset symptom.
Other Symptoms
MG can lead to moderate to severe drooping of one or both eyelids, double vision, blurred vision, trouble walking, facial expression changes, shortness of breath and/or impaired speech. General weakness is a primary symptom, especially in voluntary muscles like the arms, legs and face, as indicated by the MDA. The MDA also reports that some individuals experience partial paralysis of eye movements, droopy eyelids, fatigue in the neck and jaws accompanied by trouble chewing and/or difficulty swallowing or holding up the head. The NLM indicates other symptoms of MG, including drooling, hoarseness or voice changes.
Myasthenic Crisis
According to eMedTV.com, a myasthenic crisis develops when the muscle weakness becomes so severe that lung control for breathing fails, resulting in a medical emergency.
