Myasthenia Gravis Research Paper

Words: 740
Pages: 3

The topic I have been assigned is Myasthenia Gravis. The word Myasthenia Gravis, is derived from the Latin and Greek origin, meaning “grave muscle weakness.” This disorder is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that is characterized by a varying degree of weakness in the voluntary muscles of the body. Victims of Myasthenia Gravis are effected in their everyday lives, many with the disorder aren’t able to preform everyday task because they are restricted by the restraints of their side effects.
Muscle weakness caused by myasthenia gravis begins to worsen as the muscle is used repeatedly. Muscle weakness will come and go because the symptoms are improved with rest.
Over the process of time the symptoms of this disorder will begin to worsen.
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One medication that is commonly used is, Cholinesterase inhibitors. This medication enhances communication between nerves and muscles. Although this medication does not cure the condition, it will improve the muscle strength in places affected. Therapy is also an effective way to treat the symptoms of this disorder. One therapy technique is plasmapheresis, this procedure uses a filtering process that is similar to the dialysis process. The blood is routed through a machine that will remove the antibodies that block the singles of the nerve endings to the muscle receptor sites. Typically the beneficial effects only last for about a week. However, Intravenous immunoglobuil therapy has a lower risk of side effects than plasmapheresis therapy, and the benefits last longer. These benefits can last up to approximately three to six weeks. One last treatment process of myasthenia gravis is a thymectomy. The thymus gland is the gland under the breastbone that is involved in the immune system. The tumor is called thymoma, doctors conduct the surgery to remove the thymus gland, which is called thymectomy. If no tumor is present the removal of the thymus gland can improve or eliminate the symptoms of myasthenia gravis. However, the benefits of the thymectomy may not