Myasthenia Gravis Awareness

Did you know that June is Myasthenia Gravis awareness month!  Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune disease (pronounced My-as-theen-ee-a Grav-us) which comes from the Greek and Latin words meaning "grave muscular weakness." The most common form of MG is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that is characterized by fluctuating weakness of the voluntary muscle groups.

Common symptoms include:

• A drooping eyelid
• Blurred or double vision
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing
• Weakness in the arms and legs
• Chronic muscle fatigue
• Difficulty breathing

The prevalence of MG in the United States is estimated to be about 20/100,000 population. However, MG is probably under diagnosed and the prevalence may be higher. Myasthenia Gravis occurs in all races, both genders, and at any age. MG is not thought to be directly inherited nor is it contagious. It does occasionally occur in more than one member of the same family.

There is no known cure for MG, but there are effective treatments that allow many-but not all-people with MG to lead full lives. Although the treatments will not cure MG, patients may have significant improvement in their muscle weakness.

MG affects each person differently requiring individualized treatment approaches and goals. Treatment decisions are based on knowledge of the natural history of MG in each patient and the predicted response to a specific form of therapy. Treatment goals are individualized according to the severity of the MG weakness, the patient's age and sex, and the degree of impairment.

There is much that can be done, but still much to understand. New drugs to improve treatments are needed. Research plays an important role in finding new answers and treatments for MG.

The above references are taken from the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation Website for more information on Myasthenia Gravis see http://myasthenia.org/Home.aspx