Myasthenia Gravis

Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) typically experience the sensation of having "tired" eyes that appear to become droopy or sleepy-looking as the day progresses. They also report fatigue in their limbs, face and jaw. They may have trouble breathing, talking, chewing or swallowing. MG is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body seems to turn on itself, producing antibodies to destroy healthy tissue. Women tend to have MG more than men. Many MG patients have eye disorders related to their condition. All of them require a thorough ophthalmologic exam as well as a careful family history because MG seems to run in families. Though there is yet no cure for MG, medications have greatly improved the quality of life for patients. Other treatments, such as plasmapheresis, a technique that aims to clear the excess antibodies from the blood, is also a possibility for some patients.