Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is diagnosed mainly on the basis of the typical symptoms and the patient's age. The doctor will ask about your medical history and examine you for physical symptoms such as muscle fatigue, varying degrees of muscle weakness, and the affected areas of your body.
In addition, laboratory tests can help to determine the type of disorder, based on the type of antibodies involved, and the severity of the disorder.
These tests help to objectively assess the appropriate treatment and its success.
The doctor in charge decides which tests are appropriate for each patient. Not every test will be carried out on every patient.
Let's take a closer look at some of the key symptoms of MG that play a role in diagnosing the condition.
Muscle weakness in MG usually starts in the eye area but can also affect other parts of the body. It can be very different from person to person. In some cases, the first signs of MG are difficulty speaking, chewing and swallowing.
Occasionally, people with MG experience weakness in their arms and legs among the first symptoms. Climbing stairs or standing up becomes increasingly difficult. Some people also experience weakness in the muscles that support the head. If the muscles of the face are affected, facial expressions also change. People may appear sad or tired, and laughter may seem unnatural.
The term "myasthenia" originates from Greek roots: "myo" meaning muscle, and "asthenia" meaning weakness. Therefore, "myasthenia" literally translates to "muscle weakness".
The severity of MG symptoms varies from person to person, and even in the same patient, muscle strength can vary greatly. While some people have relatively mild symptoms and a stable course of the disease over years, others experience rapid progression of muscle weakness over a few weeks or even days, which can become life-threatening.
The weakness may also improve temporarily, only to worsen again later. Other people have a gradual decline in muscle strength.
MG symptoms typically start with double vision or drooping of the eyelids, called ptosis, which can occur on one or both sides.
The symptoms get worse with physical activity and are often worse in the evening than in the morning. In about 5 out of 100 people, the disease remains confined to the eye muscles, known as ocular Myasthenia, but in all the others, other parts of the body are affected during the first few years of the disease, leading to what is known as generalised Myasthenia Gravis (gMG).
Many people with MG experience fatigue in addition to their physical symptoms. Fatigue means tiredness. But fatigue in MG is much more than just tiredness.
People feel listless, apathetic, have an increased need for sleep and have trouble concentrating. Some people also feel depressed, irritable or anxious.
Living with myasthenia gravis shouldn't stop you from doing the things you love. By talking to your healthcare professional, you can find a management plan that is tailored to your personal goals.
You are never alone