EXPLAINER: What is myasthenia gravis?
Sunshine Cruz recently revealed that she’s battling an autoimmune disease called myasthenia gravis.
In an Instagram post, the actress said that the past months have been a "real rollercoaster" for her due to her condition, which “has made building muscle a real struggle."
Dr. Greg David Dayrit, an active consultant and neurologist at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City and Bonifacio Global City, told PhilSTAR L!fe that myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neurologic disorder where antibodies "destroy the communication between the nerves and muscle."
According to Dr. Aimee Tan Estacio, who also specializes in neurology at Chinese General Hospital and Providence Hospital, such failure of the neuromuscular transmission can lead to muscle weakness and fatigue.
Read on to know more about the disease.
Symptoms and causes
Among the most common symptoms of myasthenia gravis per Dayrit are drooping eyelids and muscle weakness. "You may feel worse at the end of the day if you have this disorder," he explained.
Other signs include double vision, trouble speaking and walking, and difficulties in swallowing and breathing.
The condition is diagnosed through certain medical tests like repetitive nerve stimulation that measures muscle responses through electrical stimulation; single-fiber electromyography that "permits assessment of individual muscle fiber action potentials"; antibody tests; and edrophonium tests.
Treatment and prevention
According to Estacio, treatment for myasthenia gravis involves careful use of anticholinesterase and immunosuppresant drugs such as corticosteroids.
"In some cases, there is plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin," she continued.
Dayrit said that majority of MG cases are manageable, though it could result in generalized myasthenia, leading to mechanical ventilation or life support.
Some would also require surgery to take out the thymoma or tumor, which is seen in 10 to 15% of MG cases.
Unfortunately, there's no way to prevent myasthenia gravis, per Dayrit.
But according to Estacio, avoiding triggers could help. These include infections, extreme temperatures, overexertion, and stress.
