What mimics ocular myasthenia gravis?
Beware: there are other diseases that mimic myasthenia gravis. A number of disorders may mimic MG, including generalized fatigue, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, botulism, penicillamine-induced myasthenia, and congenital myasthenic syndromes.
What are the cardinal features of myasthenia gravis?
The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that worsens after periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Certain muscles such as those that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, chewing, talking, and swallowing are often (but not always) involved in the disorder.
Does ocular myasthenia gravis go away?
There’s no cure for myasthenia gravis, but treatment can help relieve signs and symptoms, such as weakness of arm or leg muscles, double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing.
Why is myasthenia gravis worse at night?
The muscle weakness can fluctuate, so that someone with myasthenia gravis may feel stronger in the morning and worse in the evening.
Can you still drive with ocular myasthenia gravis?
A common fear when first diagnosed with myasthenia is that you will never be able to drive again. This is not necessarily true, however anyone with myasthenia, who wishes to drive or holds a driving licence, is legally required to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), even if their symptoms are mild.
What can worsen myasthenia gravis?
Factors that can worsen myasthenia gravis
- Fatigue.
- Illness or infection.
- Surgery.
- Stress.
- Some medications — such as beta blockers, quinidine gluconate, quinidine sulfate, quinine (Qualaquin), phenytoin, certain anesthetics and some antibiotics.
- Pregnancy.
- Menstrual periods.
Does ocular myasthenia gravis get worse?
Muscle weakness caused by myasthenia gravis worsens as the affected muscle is used. Because symptoms usually improve with rest, muscle weakness can come and go. However, the symptoms tend to progress over time, usually reaching their worst within a few years after the onset of the disease.
What is ocular myasthenia gravis?
Ocular Myasthenia Gravis. Myasthenia gravis is a condition that causes weakness of specific muscles in the body. Normally nerves send a signal to muscles using a chemical called acetylcholine, which tells the muscles when to move.
Why are extraocular muscles weak in myasthenia gravis (MG)?
Physiologic hypotheses propose that it is the unique structure and function of extraocular muscles that predispose them to weakness in MG. Compared to extremity muscles, extraocular muscles are smaller, served by more nerve fibers, and are among the fastest contracting muscles in the body.
What causes double vision in ocular myasthenia gravis?
Diplopia: Patients with ocular myasthenia gravis may experience double vision. This is due to a weakening of the eye muscles. In some cases, one of the ocular muscles will be unable to move properly, and this will cause the patient to see double.
Is ryanodine good for ocular myasthenia gravis?
Titin and ryanodine or MuSK antibodies are very rare in someone with ocular MG. In fact, people with MuSK MG may not have any eye muscle weakness. 1,2 An acetylcholinesterase inhibitor may be the only drug needed to control mild to moderate ocular myasthenia gravis.