Myasthenia Gravis is a highly misdiagnosed autoimmune neuromuscular disease in which communication between nerve and muscle is impaired. MG can be misdiagnosed for overwork, fatique, anemia, vitamin deficiency, diseases of the involved organs, or even emotional disturbance. MG can strike anyone at any age. The cause of MG is unknown and we are still looking for a cure. Myasthenia is believed to only affect the voluntary muscles.
Immune Response Myasthenia Gravis
This is the most common form of MG for a description of the autoimmune response in MG.
Juvenile Myasthenia Gravis
Also immune mediated. Similar to adult MG, in treatment and symptoms the prognosis is believed to be dependent upon whether the patient starts with MG before or after puberty. Pre-puberty development of MG indicates a higher possibility of remission.
Neonatal Myasthenia Gravis
Also referred as Neonatal transient MG is an immune mediated condition. It is not an immune disease. In this condition a mother with Immune response MG can pass the antibodies across the placenta to the fetus. Therefore the child of a Myasthenic mother can be born with MG related antibodies in his/her blood stream. This can produce a Myasthenic-like condition for as long as the antibodies last. As the infant is not producing the antibodies themselves the condition is self-limiting and should cease to be a problem in a few weeks after birth.
Congenital Myasthenia Gravis or Congenital Myasthenic syndromes
Not immune-mediated congenital Myasthenic syndromes are believed to be genetically influenced. Three distinct types of Congenital MG have been identified based upon the active mechanism; Presynaptic defects, Synaptic defects, Post synaptic defects.
All Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes have similar symptomology to Immune response MG. However because of the differing underlining causes of the symptoms, treatments and prognosis vary wildly from immune response MG (for example, the use of immune suppressive agents are usually not indicated in congenital MG.)
Ocular MG
Ocular MG is defined as an autoimmune attack on the receptors at the nerve muscle synapse, which causes weakness and fatigue restricted to the eye muscles. OMG shares the common symtoms of MG, but usually the eye muscles are the first to display symptoms. Most of those patents will go on to have other general symptoms, such as difficulties in chewing, swallowing, and movement of the arms or legs within three years in most cases. The patient might exhibit double vision.
Disclaimer: The medical opinions and information presented in this publication are not intended to be used as medical advice. Rather they are presented to raise the readers' awareness of "options". Each case of M.G. is different. Only the person living with M.G. in discussion with his/her physician can come to appropriate choices as to treatment. If you have questions concerning medical information presented here, please discuss the matter directly with your physician before taking any action.