What Is Myasthenia Gravis?

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Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a condition that causes profound muscle weakness as a result of the immune system attacking receptors (docking sites) located on muscle tissue. The muscles in the eyelids and those attached to the eyeball are commonly the first (and sometimes only) muscles affected in myasthenia gravis. Other muscles that may become weak include jaw, limb, and even, breathing muscles.

While there is no cure yet for myasthenia gravis, the upside is that there are several therapies available to improve symptoms.

myasthenia gravis
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon

Myasthenia Gravis Symptoms

The primary symptom of myasthenia gravis is significant, specific muscle weakness that tends to get progressively worse later in the day, especially if the affected muscles are being used a lot.

Commonly, someone with myasthenia gravis will first experience droopy eyelids or "tired eyes" (ptosis) and/or blurry or double vision (diplopia).

While some people with MG only experience eye muscle weakness (ocular myasthenia), others progress to a more generalized form of the disease in which multiple muscles are affected.

In those individuals, besides eye-related problems, these symptoms may occur:

  • Mouth/jaw weakness leading to trouble chewing or swallowing food, or slurred speech
  • Limited facial expressions
  • Arms, hands, fingers, legs, and/or neck weakness

Keep in mind, the weakness of myasthenia gravis is different than, for example, the tiredness someone might feel in their legs after standing or working all day. Weakness implies only barely being able to move a particular muscle.

Rarely, a myasthenic crisis may occur. This is a life-threatening condition characterized by difficulty breathing due to severe weakness of the respiratory muscles. It is often triggered by a change in medication, infection, or surgery.

Due to related, severe shortness of breath, intubation (being placed on a breathing machine) and monitoring in an intensive care unit are required.

Causes

Myasthenia gravis occurs when antibodies (proteins produced by the immune system) misguidedly attack the receptors for acetylcholine—a chemical messenger released by nerve cells to stimulate muscle contractions. These antibodies are called acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. As a result of the interference with the transmission of nerve-to-muscle signaling, muscle weakness develops.

It's important to note that in some cases, instead of antibodies produced against acetylcholine receptors, a person with myasthenia gravis has antibodies produced against proteins located on the surface of the muscle membrane. These antibodies are called muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of myasthenia gravis begins with a medical history and neurological examination. Then, if symptoms and signs suggestive of myasthenia gravis are present, additional confirmatory tests will be performed, often by a neurologist.

Medical History and Neurological Exam

During the medical history, a healthcare provider will listen carefully to your health story and inquire about specific details. For example, they may ask the following questions if they suspect myasthenia gravis based on you noting "tired or dropping eyes."

  • Are you having any difficulties speaking or swallowing?
  • Besides your eye weakness, are you experiencing weakness anywhere else in your body (e.g., arms or legs)?
  • Is your weakness worse in the morning or evening?

After these questions, your healthcare provider will perform a neurological exam in which they evaluate your muscle strength and tone. They will also check your eyes to see if there are any problems with eye movement.

Blood Tests

In addition to a medical history and physical exam, if a person has symptoms suggestive of myasthenia gravis, there are antibody blood tests that can be done to confirm the diagnosis.

The most specific test is the acetylcholine receptor antibody test, which checks the blood for the presence of abnormal antibodies. Presence of the antibodies confirms the diagnosis. Your healthcare provider may also check for the presence of MuSK antibodies.

Electrophysiological Studies

Electrophysiological studies, such as repetitive nerve stimulation studies and single-fiber electromyography (EMG), can be very helpful in diagnosing myasthenia gravis—especially if other tests (like the antibody blood test) are normal, but a practitioner's suspicion for MG is still high based on one's symptoms.

Edrophonium Test

The edrophonium test, also called the Tensilon test, has mostly fallen out of use due to the unavailability of the chemical required to perform it.

Historically, though, during this test, a healthcare provider injects edrophonium—a medicine that prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine—into a vein. If muscle strength improves after this medicine is given, the test is considered positive and offers strong support for the diagnosis of MG.

Imaging

Some patients with myasthenia gravis have a tumor of the thymus gland—an immune system gland that is located in your chest. Imaging tests, usually a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can diagnose thymomas.

An MRI of the brain may also be ordered during the diagnostic process to evaluate for mimicking conditions like stroke, brain tumor, or multiple sclerosis.

Treatment

While there is no cure for myasthenia gravis, there are treatments that ease symptoms and calm the disease down.

Acetylcholine Inhibitors

Drugs called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which block the breakdown of acetylcholine, can help increase the levels of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. The main acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to treat myasthenia gravis is Mestinon (pyridostigmine).

Potential side effects of this drug include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and nausea, although taking it with food can reduce gastrointestinal distress.

Immunosuppressants

Glucocorticoids, such as prednisone, are often used to suppress the abnormal production of antibodies in people with myasthenia gravis.

Other immune-system suppressing drugs sometimes used to treat myasthenia gravis include:

  • Imuran (azathioprine)
  • CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil)
  • Prograf (tacrolimus)
  • Rituxan (rituximab)
  • Rystiggo (rozanolixizumab)
  • Vyvgart (efgartigimod)
  • Vyvgart Hytrulo (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase)
  • Ultomiris (ravulizumab)
  • Zilbrysq (zilucoplan)

Immunosuppressant medications require careful monitoring by your healthcare provider, as they all may cause potentially serious side effects.

Plasmapheresis

Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis), in which blood plasma containing the abnormal antibodies is removed and fresh plasma is put back in, is used to treat an acute myasthenic crisis. This procedure may also be done before surgery in an effort to head off a myasthenic crisis.

The caveat about plasmapheresis is that while it works within days, the benefits are short-lived (usually just weeks). In addition, plasmapheresis is expensive and complications may arise, such as:

  • Low blood pressure
  • Heart arrhythmias
  • Muscle cramps
  • Bleeding

Intravenous Immunoglobulin

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) entails giving a person (through their vein) a high concentration of antibodies collected from healthy donors. The administration of IVIG is usually done over a period of two to five days. While possible side effects of IVIG are generally mild, serious complications may occur including kidney failure, meningitis, and allergic reactions.

Just like plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may be used to treat a myasthenic crisis or administered prior to surgery. Likewise, the effects of IVIG are short-lived.

Thymectomy

Surgery to remove the thymus gland (thymectomy) can reduce and possibly even resolve myasthenia gravis symptoms.

While surgery is definitely indicated in people with a thymus gland tumor, whether thymectomy is indicated in other cases is less clear. In these instances, it's important to have a thoughtful discussion with a neurologist who has experience treating myasthenia gravis.

Coping

A key strategy for preventing myasthenic attacks is to avoid/minimize possible triggers.

Potential triggers for myasthenic attacks include:

  • Emotional stress
  • Surgery
  • Pregnancy
  • Thyroid disease (underactive or overactive)
  • Increases in body temperature

Certain medications can also trigger an attack, such as:

  • Cipro (ciprofloxacin) or other antibiotics
  • Beta-blockers, like Inderal (propranolol)
  • Lithium
  • Magnesium
  • Verapamil

Individuals with myasthenia gravis should be careful before starting any new medication and watch carefully after taking it for signs of muscle weakness.

Infection, such as with the flu or pneumonia, can also trigger a myasthenia flare. With that, be sure to obtain all recommended vaccines, such as your yearly flu shot.

A Word From Verywell

The future of myasthenia gravis is bright, as researchers work tirelessly to find therapies that target and perhaps fix the immune system abnormality that lies at the root of myasthenia gravis. Until then, continue to remain active in your health care: See your healthcare provider regularly, report any new symptoms right away, and take medication as advised.

7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  4. Myasthenia Gravis Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Aug 13, 2019.

  5. Colović MB, Krstić DZ, Lazarević-pašti TD, Bondžić AM, Vasić VM. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: pharmacology and toxicology. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2013;11(3):315-35. doi:10.2174/1570159X11311030006

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Additional Reading

By Mary Kugler, RN
Mary Kugler, RN, is a pediatric nurse whose specialty is caring for children with long-term or severe medical problems.