Myasthenia gravis

Topic: Medical-surgical

An autoimmune disease in which antibodies block acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, so muscle weakness worsens with activity and improves with rest. Drooping eyelids and double vision are often the first signs; weakness of the chewing, swallowing, speech and breathing muscles follows. Infection, surgery, stress and some drugs can trigger myasthenic crisis, respiratory failure that needs ventilation. Give anticholinesterase drugs on time, ideally before meals, check swallowing before feeding, monitor respiratory effort, and report a weakening cough.

Also known as:

MG, Myasthenic crisis

In Turkish:

Miyastenia gravis