Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease where auto-antibodies block acetylcholine receptors in muscle, causing weakness that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Diagnosis involves physical exams, tests like edrophonium tests, and imaging. Treatments include medications like cholinesterase inhibitors and immunosuppressants, thymectomy, IVIG, and lifestyle changes. Major hospitals treating the condition include Medanta in India and Jefferson University Hospitals in the US.

1. MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
SHREYA NAIR
PAPER 2
ROLL NO. - 13
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2. INDEX
SR NO. CONTENT PAGE NO.
1 INTRODUCTION 3
2 SYMPTOMS 5
3 MECHANISM 7
4 DIAGNOSIS 9
5 TREATMENT 12
6 HOSPITALSTREATING
MYASTHENIAGRAVIS
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7 WEBSITESASSOCIATED
WITH MYASTHENIAGRAVIS
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8 REFERNCE 16
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3. INTRODUCTION
• chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease.
• Produces auto-antibodies that bind the acetylcholine receptors (AchRs) on
the motor end plates of muscles.
• Blocks the normal binding of acetylcholine.
• Causes weakness in the skeletal muscles.
• The name myasthenia gravis, which is Latin and Greek in origin, means
"grave, or serious, muscle weakness.“
• Muscle weakness that worsens after periods of activity and improves after
periods of rest.
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4. • The failure of muscles to contract
occurs
• they can’t respond to nerve impulses.
• Without proper transmission of the
impulse, the communication between
nerve and muscle is blocked and
weakness results.
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5. SYMPTOMS
• Trouble talking
• Problems walking up stairs or lifting objects
• Difficulty breathing due to muscle weakness
• Difficulty swallowing or chewing
• Fatigue
• Hoarse voice
• Double vision (diplopia)
• Inability to retract the corners of the mouth
• Drooping of eyelids (ptosis)
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6. • Altered speaking
• Limited facial
expression
• Smoothening out of
forehead
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7. MECHANISM
• The exact cause of
this autoimmune
reaction is unclear.
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8. • is not inherited.
• Occurs in people over the age of 40.
• Women are more likely to be diagnosed as younger adults.
• Men are more likely to be diagnosed at 60 or older.
• Prevalence - in the United States is estimated at 14 to 20 per 100,000
population.
• Fewer than 1 million cases per year (India)
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9. DIAGNOSIS
• A physical exam, a detailed history of symptoms and neurological exams.
• This includes :
Reflexes
Muscle strength
Muscle tone
Senses of touch and sight
Coordination
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10. • Test to confirm diagnosis – muscle weakness improves with rest is key sign of
myasthenia gravis.
Edrophonium test
oInjection of the chemical edrophonium chloride (Tensilon)
oTemporary improvement of muscle strength
Ice pack test
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11. Blood analysis
Image scanning
Repetitive nerve stimulation
o attach electrodes to skin
o small pulses of electricity
through the electrodes
o measure the nerve's ability to
send a signal to your muscle.
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12. TREATMENT
• Management of symptoms
Medications
oCorticosteroids – limits antibody
production ( prednisone)
oCcholinesterase inhibitors - enhance
communication between nerves and
muscles [pyridostigmine
(Mestinon) ]
oIimmunosuppressants - suppresses
immune system [azathioprine
(Imuran), cyclosporine
(Sandimmune, Neoral),
methotrexate (Trexall)]
Thymus gland removal
oless muscle weakness.
oprovides body with normal
antibodies
oalters immune system response.
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13. Intravenous immune globulin
oaffects the creation and function of antibodies –
mechanism unknown
Ayurvedic treatment
o immunomodulator agents like Amrutottaram
kashayam tablet.
omuscle weakness along with myasthenia -
Ashwagandhadi lehyam as adjuvant
oFor local application - Bala Ashwagandhadi taila
Lifestyle changes
oplenty of rest to help minimize muscle weakness.
oAvoid stress and heat exposure, as both can
worsen symptoms.
o wearing an eye patch if you have double vision 13

14. HOSPITALSTREATING MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
In India:
• Medanta Hospital – Gurugram, Indore, Ranchi, South Delhi, DLF Cybercity,
Delhi Airport, Lucknow, Sri Ganganagar
• Fortis Hospital
Jefferson University Hospitals – USA
Massachusetts General Hospital – Boston USA
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15. WEBSITES ASSOCIATED WITH MYASTHENIA
GRAVIS
• http://myasthenia.org/
volunteer health agency in the United States
• http://www.mgakc.org/
organisation in Missouri, Kansas, and Northwest Arkansas
• http://www.myasthenia-ca.org/
In California and Nevada
• http://www.nationalhealthcouncil.org/about-nhc/members/myasthenia-
gravis-foundation-america 15

16. REFERNCE
• https://www.healthline.com/health/myasthenia-gravis#treatments
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myasthenia-
gravis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352040
• https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/myasthenia-gravis
• www.ayurvedatreatments.co.in/ayurvedatreatments/index.php/5-
ayurvedic-treatment-methods/24-ayurvedic-herbal-remedies-in-
myasthenia-gravis-myasthenia-gravis-is-an
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17. THANKYOU !!!!!
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