Every year a million people get this disease!

Neurology specialist Prof. Dr. Dilek Necioğlu Örken states that myasthenia gravis (MG) is a disease that causes weakness in some muscles that occurs with fatigue and partially improves with rest. In addition droopy eyelids, blurred vision, chewing disorder and fatigue mid-meal, swallowing disorder, speech disorder and voice weakening, flu-like speech, loss of facial expression, heavy head and falling forward, shortness of breath and the need for extra breathing, Weakness can be seen in the arms and legs. Emphasizing that MG usually affects the eyelids and the muscles around the eyes and that the disease usually starts with droopy eyelids, Örken states that double vision can also occur with droopy eyelids. Prof. Dr. Örken lists the symptoms that accompany the disease: Weakness of the jaw muscles, Weakness in the arm and leg, Breathing problems, Difficulty speaking, swallowing and chewing.

WITH THE RIGHT TREATMENT A NORMAL LIFE CAN BE LIVED

Although MG is a disease with a high mortality due to a respiratory crisis during the course of the disease, patients can continue their normal lives if they receive the right treatment. Stating that the number of newly diagnosed MG patients is 9-30/1 million each year and more common in the elderly, neurology specialist Prof. Necioğlu Örken stated that while it is more common in women in the first 50 years, it is more common occurs in men after the age of 50 years. It is argued that MG is not a genetically transmitted disease and there is usually no family history. Only 3-5 percent of diagnosed patients have a family history of MG or another autoimmune disease.

REMEDY EVERY YEAR FLU VACCINE

Studies have shown that flu or pneumonia cause serious problems in MG patients, which are not limited to the eye muscles, but involve other muscles as well. Some medications make MG disease worse. Therefore, patients should consult their doctor before taking any medication. With the increase in progesterone during women’s menstruation, the symptoms can worsen. For this reason, it may be necessary to adjust the dose of the drug during the patient’s menstrual period.

INTENSIVE CARE IS NECESSARY IF TREATMENT IS DELAYED

Prof. Dr. Örken states that drugs can be used that treat muscle weakness, drugs that suppress the immune system over time or that have a rapid effect on the immune system, or that plasma exchange can be performed. The thymus can also be surgically removed in some cases. If MG affects the respiratory muscles, admission to intensive care may be necessary.