myasthenia
Chronic muscular fatigue
Myasthenia is muscular weakness or fatigue, particularly the chronic condition myasthenia gravis, in which the immune system disrupts nerve signals to muscles.
The weakness typically worsens with activity and improves with rest.
Early symptoms often affect the eyes—drooping eyelids, double vision—before spreading to other muscle groups.
Abnormal lid drooping
- diplopiaSeeing duplicated images
- dysphagiaMedical swallowing difficulty
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
drooping · dysarthria · fatigability · breathlessness · ocular · bulbar · generalized · fluctuating
Nerve-to-muscle signaling
- acetylcholineNeurotransmitter for muscles and memory
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
thymoma · cholinesterase · nerve · conduction · autoimmune · junction · transmission · blockade
Identification of illness
- electromyographyMuscle electrical activity measurement
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- remissionTemporary disease absence
- exacerbationMaking something more severe
relapsing · chronic · ocular · generalized · seronegative · congenital · neonatal · juvenile
Drugs reducing body defenses
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- prednisoneSynthetic corticosteroid medication
- immunoglobulinDefensive blood protein
- cyclosporineImmunosuppressive transplant drug
ptosis
Abnormal lid drooping
fatigue · drooping · dysarthria · fatigability · breathlessness · ocular · bulbar · generalized · fluctuating · worsening
neuromuscular
Nerve-to-muscle signaling
- acetylcholineNeurotransmitter for muscles and memory
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
synapse · thymoma · cholinesterase · nerve · conduction · autoimmune · junction · transmission · blockade · impairment
diagnosis
Identification of illness
- electromyographyMuscle electrical activity measurement
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- remissionTemporary disease absence
exacerbation · relapsing · chronic · ocular · generalized · seronegative · congenital · neonatal · juvenile · refractory
immunosuppressants
Drugs reducing body defenses
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- prednisoneSynthetic corticosteroid medication
- immunoglobulinDefensive blood protein
cyclosporine · immunotherapy · monoclonal · anticholinesterase
myastheniamuscle strength
Force muscles generate
myotonia · hypertonia · muscle tone · vigor · robustness
myastheniahypertonia
Pathological muscle tightness
spasticity · tetany · dystonia · cramping