The autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica is a muscle weakness disease that leads to rapid fatigability of the human musculature. The disease can affect people of all ages and is associated with psychological stress. With prompt treatment, the symptoms of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica usually resolve quickly.
What is myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica?
Myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica is a very rare form of muscle weakness. Rapid muscle fatigue is characteristic of this autoimmune disease. The eyes and face are mainly affected by the muscle weakness. See eshaoxing for Lathyrism Definition and Meaning.
However, as the disease progresses, other muscle groups, including the heart and lungs, may be affected. Patients suffering from myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica have symptoms resembling paralysis.
Causes
Pseudoparalytic myasthenia gravis is caused by impaired neuromuscular transmission, which means that the signals between the muscles and nerves of the affected patient are not transmitted properly.
Myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica is a disease in which a person’s immune system attacks their own body. Doctors also refer to this as an autoimmune disease. In the case of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica, this autoimmune reaction disrupts neuromuscular transmission, resulting in faster muscle fatigue with symptoms of paralysis.
But even if the thymus – a gland in the human breastbone – is changed due to a disease, for example a malignant tumor, this can result in myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica. The thymus is responsible for controlling the human immune system, which is why a diseased gland can lead to an autoimmune reaction.
A disorder of the thymus is found in about 80 percent of all patients suffering from myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica. However, psychological stress situations such as death or pregnancy can also be the cause of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
The first signs of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica are usually visual disturbances caused by rapid muscle fatigue. Double vision is typical, and the upper eyelids often droop on one or both sides and droop (ptosis). In about 20 percent of patients, the disease is limited to these symptoms, the doctor speaks of a pure ocular myasthenia gravis.
In many cases, however, the disease spreads to other muscle groups, in principle all consciously controllable muscles can be affected. A relatively common paralysis of the facial muscles is accompanied by the loss of facial expressions: the emotionless facial expression of the patient is striking. If the disease spreads to the lip, palate, tongue and larynx muscles, speech and swallowing disorders are the result.
Involvement of the respiratory muscles is also possible and manifests itself in increasing shortness of breath: In the worst case, a myasthenic crisis can lead to a sudden and massive deterioration with an acute risk of suffocation. Muscles that cannot be controlled voluntarily, such as the heart muscle, are not affected by the disease.
The symptoms of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica usually worsen with exertion. The dependence on the time of day is also characteristic: the symptoms are rather weak in the morning and increase significantly in the evening.
Diagnosis & History
In order to diagnose myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica, the affected patient should consult a neurologist. He will first question the patient in detail about his symptoms and then use certain neurological tests to determine myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica.
In addition to rapid muscle fatigue, the typical symptoms are visual disturbances, expressionless facial expressions, swallowing and speech disorders and heart or lung problems (e.g. shortness of breath). In addition, myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica can be diagnosed with the help of various drug tests. These are used to check the neuromuscular signal transmission and the resilience of the muscles. Electromyography is also often used if myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica is suspected.
With the help of this examination, the activity and fatigability of the muscle is analyzed. Most doctors also recommend CT scans and chest X-rays to check for changes in the thymus gland.
In the case of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica, a reduced life expectancy is not to be expected, and the limitations caused by this disease are kept to a minimum in most patients. However, regular check-ups by a neurologist should be carried out in order to detect the progression of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica in good time.
Complications
Due to myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica, those affected suffer from significant limitations in everyday life. This leads to a very strong tiredness and exhaustion of the patient, so that physical activities or sports are no longer possible for the person concerned. It is also not uncommon for visual disturbances to occur, which continue to significantly reduce the quality of life of those affected.
Those affected see blurred or double vision, sometimes it comes to the so-called veiled vision. The muscles appear weak, which can lead to developmental disorders, especially in children. This often leads to social exclusion or psychological problems. The muscles in the face are also affected by myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica, which can lead to difficulty swallowing.
Difficulty swallowing makes it difficult to take in liquids and food, so patients can be underweight or suffer from deficiency symptoms. As a rule, myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica cannot be treated causally. However, the symptoms can be limited with the help of medication, so that the patient’s life expectancy is not reduced. There are no special complications and the development of the child can take place in the usual way.
When should you go to the doctor?
If the person concerned suffers from persistent stress or mental stress, the help and support of a doctor or therapist should be sought. If there is a decrease in physical performance, a weakening of the muscles or if everyday obligations can only be carried out to a limited extent, a doctor should be consulted. If you tire quickly, have an increased need for sleep and have an inner weakness, there is an irregularity that should be investigated. A general feeling of illness, malaise and visual disturbances must be discussed with a doctor.
If you experience double vision, blurred vision or an increased risk of accidents and injuries, you should consult a doctor. There is a need for action in the case of disturbances in vocalization, irregularities in the act of swallowing and abnormalities in the heart rhythm. Since severe cases can be life-threatening, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible at the first sign. Changes in the muscles in the mouth and throat must be presented to a doctor so that there are no consequences such as loss of appetite or unwanted weight loss.
If you have a breathing disorder, difficult breathing or anxiety, you need a doctor. If an acute condition occurs due to shortness of breath, an emergency service must be alerted. Until his arrival, first aid measures are to be taken by those present to ensure the survival of the person concerned.
Treatment & Therapy
In the case of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica, the neurologist will advise treatment with drugs that suppress the body’s own immune system (immunosuppressants).
In this way, the symptoms of muscle weakness can be suppressed very well and over a longer period of time in most cases. Cholesterase inhibitors also have a positive effect on impaired neuromuscular transmission. However, they are not suitable for long-term use, as the effectiveness of these drugs quickly decreases.
In very severe cases, for which a pathological change or a tumor in the thymus gland is responsible, or in patients under 50 years of age, removal of the thymus gland is often recommended. Even if the symptoms of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica usually only subside very slowly as a result of the removal, it helps the majority of patients permanently.
Outlook & Forecast
Since the symptoms associated with myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica can vary greatly in severity and location, a general prognosis is difficult. Due to the slow course in most cases, the prognosis is favorable with early and appropriate therapy. The majority of those treated respond well to treatment.
The symptoms decrease so that they can lead a largely normal everyday life with only minor physical restrictions. Myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica also has no negative impact on life expectancy. However, the doctor treating you monitors the course of the disease at regular intervals in order to be able to identify any deterioration at an early stage and order any necessary adjustments to the treatment.
Without therapy, on the other hand, the symptoms associated with myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica usually worsen. This leads to serious complications. The respiratory muscles in particular can fail as the disease progresses. Not only is this life-threatening and can lead to premature death, but it can also require lifelong mechanical ventilation. For example, in the past, when there was no modern therapy for the disease, about a third of those affected died in the first years of the disease.
Prevention
There are no effective ways to prevent myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica. Since psychological stress can contribute to the development of the disease, it is recommended that patients who are already ill are exposed to as little psychological stress as possible. This can at least limit the progression of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica.
Aftercare
In most cases, those affected with myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica have only very few and only limited measures and options for direct follow-up care. For this reason, those affected should consult a doctor as early as possible so that there are no further compilations or complaints. The earlier a doctor is contacted, the better the further course of the disease.
It cannot heal itself, and the symptoms usually continue to worsen if not treated. Most people affected by myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica are dependent on taking various medications. Care should always be taken to ensure that it is taken regularly and that the dosage is correct in order to alleviate and limit the symptoms.
If you have any side effects or questions, always consult a doctor first. Any changes on the skin should always be checked immediately by a doctor. Complete healing is usually not possible. Contact with other people affected by myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica is often useful, since there is an exchange of information that can make everyday life easier.
You can do that yourself
Depending on the type of muscle groups affected and the severity of the muscle weakness, there are numerous ways to make everyday life easier with myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica. The daily routine should be tailored to individual performance – the most important thing is to plan enough breaks. In the household, aids such as openers for bottles and disposable glasses or easy-to-use kitchen appliances compensate for a lack of muscle strength, and a standing aid supports tired legs. Often needed items are best kept within reach and not above head height, slippers with non-slip soles prevent falls on slippery floors. When driving, power steering and automatic transmission save valuable energy.
If vision is impaired by double vision, covering one eye with an eye patch or a special contact lens can help. To ensure that the vision of the covered eye does not continuously decrease, the aid must be used alternately on both eyes. Wearing sunglasses is recommended if eye problems occur, especially in bright light.
Nicotine, caffeine and large amounts of alcohol can temporarily increase the symptoms, and a reaction to strong-smelling substances such as detergents or perfume is also possible. Stress and emotional stress, but also changes in the weather and infections often have a severe impact on the well-being of those affected. Learning a relaxation technique, but also dealing openly with the disease is helpful, especially in bad phases.