Learn The BasicsMyasthenia gravis (MG) is a disease with symptoms that can encompass the entire body, including the nervous system, skeletal muscles and more.
Because of the wide range of potential symptoms and areas affected, patients with MG should be cared for by a team of multidisciplinary specialists.
The care team should include a neurologist and neuromuscular specialist, an ophthalmologist or eye doctor and a rheumatologist. Patients may also need to see a thoracic surgeon.
Other specialists in the care team of someone with MG should include a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, a nutritionist and a psychologist.
Neurologists and neuromuscular specialists
A neurologist is a medical professional specializing in diseases affecting the brain and the nervous system and can help diagnose and treat MG.
A neuromuscular specialist is more focused on diseases affecting the nerves and muscles, like MG and should also be in the care team of a patient with MG.
Ophthalmologist
A majority of patients with MG experience symptoms affecting the eye muscles and vision. An ophthalmologist specializes in vision and eye care and should be included in the care team.
Rheumatologist
A rheumatologist specializes in diseases affecting muscles and joints. They are also responsible for systemic autoimmune diseases like MG.
Thoracic surgeon
Some patients with MG may need a thymectomy or the removal of the thymus, which is found in the chest area or thorax, to treat their disease. A thoracic surgeon specializes in operating on organs found in the chest area.
Physical therapist
Patients with MG can benefit from physical therapy to maintain muscle strength and range of motion. A physical therapist can prescribe exercises for patients to improve their quality of life.
Occupational therapist
An occupational therapist can help patients with MG with their daily activities by suggesting changes to the home or workplace so that they can be more comfortable as the disease progresses.
Speech therapist
MG often affects the muscles of the neck and throat, which can lead to difficulties with swallowing and speech. A speech therapist can assist patients with communication and swallowing issues.
Nutritionist
The muscle weakness in the face and throat in MG can also lead to problems with eating and drinking. A nutritionist can help develop a nutritional plan adapted to the needs of patients with MG. They also play a role in evaluating eating problems that may develop over time.
Psychologist
Living with a chronic disease like MG can have a considerable negative effect on mental health and well-being. A psychologist can help patients cope with the feelings and emotions that they may experience throughout the course of the disease.
Facilities needed
The facilities needed to diagnose MG and monitor the disease include electromyography device to record the electrical activity of the muscle tissue, repetitive nerve stimulation equipment to test the integrity of the neuromuscular junction of the connection between nerve and muscle cells that is affected in MG and optometry and neurol-ophthalmology equipment to test for visual problems caused by the disease. Single-fiber electromyography studies can also confirm a diagnosis of MG.