Myasthenia Gravis Symptoms

Myasthenia gravis is a disorder causing weakness and rapid fatigue of voluntary muscles. This weakness fluctuates, with symptoms usually being less severe in the morning and then becoming worse later in the day.

It typically involves muscles closest to the torso such as shoulders and hips. This causes problems going up stairs and reaching above one’s head. It also frequently involves the muscles of the eyes. In some cases only the muscles of the eyes are affected which causes double vision and drooping eyelids. It does not affect the muscles of the heart, gut, or bladder. However the muscles of the mouth and throat can be involved which can cause severe weakness of swallowing. In severe cases the disease can involve the muscles of the diaphragm and respiratory muscles. This can lead to a patient being unable to breath without the support of a mechanical ventilator.  This severe presentation of myasthenia is called a myasthenic crisis. The weakness can develop over weeks to months; however, only a minority of patients go on to have a myasthenic crisis.