“Myasthenia gravis (MG), is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles, which are responsible for breathing and moving parts of the body, including the arms and legs.” This is the definition according to the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The name Myasthenia gravis is a Latin and Greek derivative, meaning, “grave” or serious, muscle weakness.
The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation explains that MG is a very rare disease, striking approximately 20 in 100,000 in the United States. MG does not discriminate for gender, race, nor age and there is no known cure. The NIH lists the following as some of the symptoms of MG:
- Drooping of one or both eyelids
- A change in facial expression
- Difficulty swallowing
- Shortness of breath
- Impaired speech
- Weakness in the arms, hands, fingers, legs, and neck.
Due to its rarity, MG is often difficult to diagnose and is sometimes misdiagnosed as some of its symptoms may seem like other disorders. A doctor will need to perform and order several tests to confirm a diagnosis of MG. Once diagnosed, there are therapies available to control the symptoms.
To schedule an annual physical at any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics, you may visit our website at www.primarymed.com, or call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.