Myasthenia Gravis Research Paper

Introduction to Myasthenia Gravis Myasthenia Gravis, also Known as "grave muscle weakness" is a chronic muscle disease that causes abnormally rapid fatigue of the skeletal muscle system, which are the voluntary muscles. The affected muscles tire quickly but regain strength after a period of rest. Myasthenia Gravis is termed an autoimmune disease. The immune system usually makes antibodies to attack bacteria, viruses and germs. With the autoimmune disease, the immune system makes antibodies against parts of one's own body tissues. In a person with normal immune system, muscles are stimulated to contract by the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscle fibers. The nerve impulses cause neurotransmitter acetylcholine to be released into the synaptic cleft. There it is picked up by the acetylcholine
Myasthenia gravis is typically active for 5-7 years. Approximately 1 in 5 patients can expect a spontaneous remission, however recurrence may occur. Although life expectancy is normal in most, if not treated 3 out of 10 people will die within 10 years of the onset of myasthenia gravis. MG is usually not fatal but in the case of a myasthenia crises occurrence (when muscles needed for breathing are affected), hospitalization and intensive care may be necessary to aid breathing with a respirator. Usually blood tests are done to detect the abnormal antibody that destroys the receptors. Often a chest scan is performed to check the thymus. Once diagnosis seems a strong consideration, electromyography, single fiber EMG, and serologic tests(test clear portion of the blood) may be used. It is standard procedure to test patients with myasthenia gravis for other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and lupus because they are more susceptible to them also. At this time there is no cure for myasthenia