Myasthenia gravis (MG), an auto-immune disease that causes chronic, progressive muscle weakness, is known as “grave muscle weakness.”
MG is an abnormality of the transmission of signals at the Neuro-Muscular Junction (NMJ), where signals travel from the brain to muscles via the nerves and are joined at the neuro-muscular junction. MG is characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles (those controlled by will) and easy fatigability, which manifests during periods of exertion and improves after rest.
- More women than men experience this condition.
- In women, the second to third decade is when symptoms first appear.
- Onset occurs in males after the sixth decade.
- MG affects two out of every one hundred thousand people.
Auto-immune nature of MG:
- The immune system of the body creates antibodies against acetyl choline receptors in MG.
- For signal transmission across the NMJ, these receptors are necessary.
- Muscle contraction cannot take place normally when these receptors are blocked, modified, or destroyed by the antibodies.
Causes of MG:
- Genetic
- Immunological
- tumors in the thymus or hyperplasia, an abnormal growth,
- Stress (a factor that makes Myasthenia Gravis cases already present worse)
Muscles usually affected by MG:
- muscles in charge of the movements of the eyes and eyelids
- Muscles of facial expression
- Muscles of swallowing
- Neck and limb muscles
- Occasionally respiratory muscles
Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis :
- Drooping eyelids (ptosis)
- Double vision (diplopia)
- Speaking slowly or with difficulty
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Nasal sounding speech
- Weakness of neck muscles
- Legs and arms being too frail
- The majority of the time, symptoms are transient.
- For several weeks, symptoms might go away before returning at a later time.
- As the day goes on and following intense activity, weakness typically gets worse.
Myasthenia Crisis:
- a condition that causes the muscles used for breathing to deteriorate severely
- The patient may experience food aspiration, choking, or shortness of breath.
- It is uncommon for myasthenia crisis to lead to respiratory failure.
Grades of MG:
- Grade 1: Only ocular disease
- Grade 2A: Modest overall deterioration
- Generalized moderate weakness in grade 2B.
- Grade 3: Severe generalized weakness
- Grade 4: Myasthenia crisis
Triggers of Myasthenia Crisis:
- Respiratory viral infections
- Sudden withdrawal of steroids
- Certain drugs
- Psychological stress
- Pregnancy
- exercise, particularly in a hot climate
Diagnosis of MG:
The majority of this is based on clinical findings, with some supplementary research:
- acetyl choline receptor-specific antibodies
- EMG (Electromyogram)
- Repetitive nerve stimulation
- Tensilon test
- CT of the chest (to check for thymus anomalies)
- Removal of abnormal antibodies from the blood through a process called plasmapheresis
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (provides the body with healthy antibodies from donated blood while temporarily altering the immune system)
- Surgical treatment: Thymectomy
Homeopathic approach and scope of Myasthenia Gravis :
Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the immune system is malfunctioning due to genetic predispositions and other general factors; as a result, the whole constitution needs to be addressed.
- disease process management
- Symptomatic relief
Although it should be noted that the improvement with homeopathy may not be as fast as one achieved by using immunosuppressive medications, homeopathy has demonstrated its efficacy in reducing the frequency of relapses and improving the power and tone of muscles. The role of homeopathy is more as long-term control, rather than for acute crisis control. Homeopathy with its constitutional approach works at deeper level and brings deviations of the immune system back to normal, and in doing so, brings the body’s own healing mechanisms into balance.
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