The early stages of myasthenia gravis (MG) can be difficult to detect, due to a lack of awareness around this rare disease and symptoms that can be mistaken for other conditions, stress or fatigue.
Early diagnosis is essential to effective symptom management and better outcomes in patients with MG.
What is myasthenia gravis and how is it diagnosed?
MG is a rare autoimmune disease affecting communication between the body’s nerves and muscles in the face, throat and diaphragm. This may cause weakness in the arms and legs and can affect breathing, swallowing and facial expressions.
It is caused by an error in the way nerve signals are transmitted to muscles. As part of an autoimmune response, the body produces antibodies that attack the neuromuscular junction. This may occur due to an abnormal thymus gland, environmental factors, other autoimmune disorders or a genetic cause. While there is currently no cure, treatment can reduce muscle weakness and improve muscle strength.
MG can occur at any age, but most commonly affects women under 40 years old and men over 60 years old. Early diagnosis, timely treatment and close monitoring in people living with myasthenia gravis contribute to an average life expectancy and a good quality of life.
Learn more about MG signs and symptoms
Neurologists typically diagnose MG after thoroughly reviewing a patient’s medical history and performing physical and neurological examinations. Key areas to be checked include muscle strength and tone, eye movements, sense of touch and coordination.
Diagnostic testing then measures the communication between nerves and muscles, and blood tests look for acetylcholine receptor antibodies or anti-MuSK antibodies, which may be present in people with myasthenia gravis.
How to recognize the early signs of myasthenia gravis
As a rare disease, the symptoms of myasthenia gravis are not widely known by most medical professionals and can be easily overlooked. In particular, early signs of myasthenia gravis can be difficult to identify, and are often attributed to aging, stress, fatigue or other conditions such as stroke, depression, multiple sclerosis or thyroid disorders. The severity of symptoms can vary from person to person. In some cases, early signs of myasthenia gravis can be subtle and in others, onset can be sudden.
Early indicators of the onset of myasthenia gravis may include:
- Drooping eyelids (one or both)
- Blurred or double vision
- Slurred speech
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty swallowing and chewing
- Flat facial expressions
- Weakness in fingers, hands, arms, legs and neck
Symptoms often worsen toward the end of the day due to muscle fatigue.
