Myasthenia gravis is a neuroimmune disease that can cause great suffering to patients. Every June 15th is Myasthenia Gravis Care Day, which aims to pay attention to myasthenia gravis patients, so that they can have a better level of diagnosis and treatment and a better living environment.
Severe What is muscle weakness? We will explain it to you through a case.
20-year-old Pan should be here like a flower He lived a carefree life at his age, but he tasted the bitterness of the world because of his illness. A year ago, she suddenly developed symptoms such as drooping of the left eyelid and difficulty in swallowing. At first, she thought it was due to overwork and would get better after a short rest, but the symptoms became more and more serious. Little Pan gradually began to feel weak in her limbs, unable to walk normally, and her eyes slowly opened. She went to many hospitals to see the ophthalmology, stomatology, and orthopedics, and took countless Chinese and Western medicines, but nothing happened. get effective treatment.
Introduced by a friend, she came to Kunming South Brain Hospital. When he was admitted to the hospital, Xiao Pan was unable to walk and needed the support of two people to move slowly. Experts from the neurology department of Kunming South Brain Hospital confirmed that Xiao Pan suffered from myasthenia gravis through a comprehensive examination and joint consultation. In response to Xiao Pan’s condition, experts formulated a comprehensive treatment plan for her with drugs+rehabilitation. After 14 days of treatment, Xiao Pan has fully recovered, his eyelids are no longer droopy, he can eat and swallow normally, and most importantly, he has regained his normal walking ability. “I’m walking very easily now and I’m recovering well!” Seeing Xiao Pan who can move freely, his family is relieved.
< span>Expert introduction:
When people have symptoms such as drooping eyelids, easy fatigue, weakness in raising their head, weakness in walking, etc., they think it is just a simple physical sub-health or lack of rest. In fact, it is very likely to be suffering from Myasthenia gravis.
Myasthenia gravis is an acquired autoimmune disease The main symptom of the disease is weakness of skeletal muscle contraction caused by a disorder of neuromuscular transmission, that is, the gradual loss of strength of the muscles that are attached to the bone and capable of motion. In the initial stage, patients are prone to fatigue, and feel more tired after activities, which can be relieved after rest, manifested as drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, weak speech, and even breathing difficulties. If not treated in time, it will have a serious impact on daily life.
Typical symptoms of myasthenia gravis
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Ptosis: caused by external ophthalmoplegia, accompanied by strabismus, diplopia, restricted eye movement, etc. ;
Difficulty swallowing:caused by involvement of the facial and throat muscles, accompanied by apathy, inability to chew, and drink water Choking, etc.;
hoarseness:It is also caused by the involvement of the facial and throat muscles, with nasal speech and dysphonia , unclear pronunciation, etc.;
Difficulty raising head:When the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles are involved, Manifested as weakness in neck, difficulty raising head, turning head and shrugging shoulders; End weakness, manifested as difficulty in raising arms, combing hair, and climbing stairs, but tendon muscle reflexes were normal.
Difficulty breathing: Respiratory muscle involvement often leads to adverse consequences, and should seek medical attention as soon as possible in the event of dyspnea;
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Morning light and evening heavy: i.e. daily volatility, muscle weakness that worsens after exertion in the afternoon or evening, morning or evening Relieve after rest.
How is myasthenia gravis treated?
Myasthenia gravis is mainly treated with drugs. Immunosuppressive drugs are used for control. Due to individual differences, patients should strictly follow the doctor’s guidance and recommendations.
In addition to drug treatment, rehabilitation training is an important adjuvant therapy in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Scientific rehabilitation training It has a positive effect on the recovery of limb function of patients.
The last is home care. When patients have difficulty chewing and swallowing, they should pay attention to soft food and semi-liquid food; When breathing difficulties and need to stay in bed, you should pay attention to daily care, turn over in time, especially to avoid choking, lung infection and bedsores.
The symptoms of susceptibility to fatigue and drooping eyelids in the early stage of myasthenia gravis are easily ignored by patients. It is necessary to pay attention to the characteristics of “light in the morning and evening in the evening”. If you feel that the extraocular muscles are “too tired to lift”, you should be alert to myasthenia gravis and go to the neurology department of a regular hospital in time.
Source: Kunming South Brain Hospital Subscription Number
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