Myasthenia gris is a rare long-term condition that causes muscle weakness.
It most commonly affects the muscles that control the eyes and eyelids, facial expressions, chewing, swallowing and speaking. But it can affect most parts of the body.
It can affect people of any age, typically starting in women under 40 and men over 60.
Symptoms of myasthenia grisCommon symptoms of myasthenia gris include:
droopy eyelidsdouble visiondifficulty making facial expressionsproblems chewing and difficulty swallowingslurred speechweak arms, legs or neckshortness of breath and occasionally serious breathing difficultiesThe symptoms tend to get worse when you're tired. Many people find they're worse towards the end of the day, and better the next morning after getting some sleep.
Read more about the symptoms of myasthenia gris.
When to see a GPSee a GP if you he long-lasting or worrying symptoms that could be caused by myasthenia gris.
They'll ask about your symptoms and medical history.
The GP may refer you to a specialist for tests to help diagnose myasthenia gris or look for other possible causes of your symptoms.
Tests you may he include a blood test, a test to see how well your nerves are working, and some scans, such as a CT scan or MRI scan.
Read more about tests for myasthenia gris.
Treatments for myasthenia grisTreatments to help keep the symptoms of myasthenia gris under control include:
oiding anything that triggers the symptoms – some people find that things such as tiredness and stress make their symptoms worsemedicine to help improve muscle weaknesssurgery to remove the thymus gland (a small gland in the chest linked to myasthenia gris)If the symptoms suddenly get worse – for example, you develop severe breathing or swallowing difficulties – you may need urgent treatment in hospital.
Read more about how myasthenia gris is treated.
Outlook for myasthenia grisMyasthenia gris is a long-term condition that typically has phases when it improves and phases when it gets worse.
It usually affects most of the body, spreading from the eyes and face to other areas over weeks, months or years. But for some people with myasthenia gris only the eyes are affected.
It is common for people to he "flare-ups", where symptoms are very troublesome, followed by periods of remission, where symptoms improve.
While remission can sometimes be permanent, this is rare in cases of myasthenia gris.
If severe, myasthenia gris can be life-threatening, but it does not he a significant impact on life expectancy for most people.
Cause of myasthenia grisMyasthenia gris is caused by a problem with the signals sent between the nerves and the muscles.
It's an autoimmune condition, which means it's the result of the immune system (the body's natural defence against infection) mistakenly attacking a healthy part of the body.
In myasthenia gris, the immune system damages the communication system between the nerves and muscles, making the muscles weak and easily tired.
It's not clear why this happens, but it's been linked to issues with the thymus gland (a gland in the chest that's part of the immune system).
Many people with myasthenia gris he a thymus gland that's larger than normal. Around 1 in 10 people he an abnormal growth of the thymus called a thymoma.
National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration ServiceIf you he myasthenia gris, your clinical team will pass information about you on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service (NCARDRS).
The NCARDRS helps scientists look for better ways to prevent and treat myasthenia gris. You can opt out of the register at any time.
Page last reviewed: 13 September 2023 Next review due: 13 September 2026