The autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica is a muscle weakness disorder that causes rapid fatigability of human muscles. The disease can affect people of any age and is associated with psychological stress. With prompt treatment, the symptoms of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica usually resolve quickly.
What is myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica?
Myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica is a fairly rare form of muscle weakness. A characteristic feature of this autoimmune disease is rapid muscle fatigue. Mainly affected by the muscle weakness are the eyes and the face. However, as the disease progresses, other muscle groups, including the heart and lungs, may also be affected. Patients who have myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica have symptoms that resemble paralysis.
Causes
Myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica is caused by impaired neuromuscular transmission, which means that signals are not properly transmitted between the muscles and nerves of the affected patient. Myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica is a disease in which a person’s immune system turns against his or her own body. Physicians also refer to this as an autoimmune disease. In the case of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica, this autoimmune reaction interferes with neuromuscular transmission, resulting in faster muscle fatigue with symptoms of paralysis. However, even if the thymus – a gland in the human sternum – is altered due to a disease, such as a malignant tumor, this can cause myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica. The thymus is responsible for controlling the human immune system, which is why an autoimmune reaction can occur if the gland is diseased. In about 80 percent of all patients suffering from myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica, a disorder of the thymus is found. However, psychologically stressful situations, such as a death or pregnancy, can also be the cause of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
The first signs of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica are usually visual disturbances caused by rapid muscle fatigue. Typically, patients see double images, and often the upper eyelids of the eyes become droopy on one or both sides and droop (ptosis). In about 20 percent of patients, the disease is limited to these symptoms; physicians refer to this as pure ocular myasthenia gravis. In many cases, however, the disease spreads to other muscle groups; in principle, all consciously controllable muscles can be affected. A relatively common paralysis of the facial muscles is accompanied by loss of facial expression: the emotionless facial expression of the sufferer is striking. If the disease spreads to the lip, palate, tongue and larynx muscles, speech and swallowing disorders are the result. Involvement of the respiratory muscles is also possible and manifests itself in increasing shortness of breath: in the worst case, a myasthenic crisis can lead to a sudden and massive deterioration with acute danger of suffocation. Muscles that cannot be controlled voluntarily, such as the heart muscle, are not affected by the disease. The symptoms of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica usually worsen with exertion. It is also characterized by dependence on the time of day: symptoms tend to be mild in the morning and become markedly more severe by evening.
Diagnosis and course
To diagnose myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica, the affected patient should consult a neurologist. He or she will first question the patient in detail about his or her symptoms and then use certain neurologic tests to determine myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica. In addition to rapid muscle fatigue, typical symptoms include visual disturbances, expressionless facial expressions, swallowing and speech disorders, and heart or lung problems (e.g., shortness of breath). In addition, myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica can be detected by various drug tests. These are used to check neuromuscular signal transmission as well as muscle resilience. Electromyography is also frequently used when myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica is suspected.With the help of this examination, the activity and fatigability of the muscle is analyzed. In order to detect any changes in the thymus, most doctors also recommend a CT scan and X-ray of the chest. Myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica is not expected to reduce life expectancy, and the limitations caused by this disease are also kept to a minimum in most patients. However, regular checkups with a neurologist should definitely be done to detect progression of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica in time.
Complications
As a result of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica, affected individuals suffer from significant limitations in everyday life. This results in very severe fatigue and exhaustion of the patient, so that physical activities or sports are no longer possible for the affected person. It is also not uncommon for visual disturbances to occur, which continue to significantly reduce the quality of life of the affected person. The affected person sees blurred or double images, sometimes it comes to the so-called veil vision. The muscles appear weak, which can lead to developmental disorders, especially in children. It is not uncommon for social exclusion or psychological complaints to occur. The muscles in the face are also affected by myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica, so that swallowing difficulties can occur. The swallowing difficulties make it difficult to take in fluids and food, so patients may suffer from underweight or deficiency symptoms. As a rule, myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica cannot be treated causally. However, the symptoms can be limited with the help of medication so that the patient’s life expectancy is not reduced. In this case, there are no special complications and the child’s development can also take place in the usual way.
When should one go to the doctor?
If the affected person suffers from persistent stress or mental strain, the help and support of a doctor or therapist should be sought. If there is a decrease in physical performance, a weakening of the musculature or if everyday obligations can only be performed to a limited extent, a doctor should be consulted. If there is rapid fatigue, an increased need for sleep, and internal weakness, there is an irregularity that should be investigated. A general feeling of illness, malaise as well as disturbances of the eyesight must be discussed with a doctor. If there is a perception of double vision, blurred vision, or an increased risk of accident or injury, a physician should be consulted. In case of disturbances of the phonation, irregularities of the swallowing act as well as abnormalities of the heart rhythm, action is required. Since in severe cases a life-threatening condition is imminent, a visit to the doctor should be made as soon as possible at the first signs. Changes in the musculature of the mouth and throat must be presented to a doctor to avoid secondary symptoms such as loss of appetite or unwanted weight loss. In case of breathing disorder, difficult breathing as well as anxiety, a doctor is needed. If an acute condition develops due to respiratory distress, an ambulance must be alerted. Until its arrival, first aid measures must be initiated by those present to ensure the survival of the affected person.
Treatment and therapy
The neurologist will advise treatment of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica with drugs that suppress the body’s immune system (immunosuppressants). In this way, the symptoms of muscle weakness can be suppressed very well in most cases and also over a longer period of time. Furthermore, cholesterase inhibitors have a positive effect on the disturbed neuromuscular transmission. However, they are not suitable for long-term use, as the efficacy of these drugs quickly diminishes. In very severe courses, for which a pathological change or a tumor of the thymus gland is responsible, or in patients under 50 years of age, removal of the thymus gland is often recommended. Even though the symptoms of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica usually subside only very slowly as a result of removal, it helps a large proportion of patients permanently.
Outlook and prognosis
Because the symptoms associated with myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica can vary widely in severity and localization, a general prognosis is difficult. However, due to the slow progression in most cases, the prognosis is favorable with early and appropriate therapy. The majority of treated patients respond well to the treatment measures. The symptoms recede, so that they can lead a largely normal everyday life with only minor physical limitations. Myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica also has no negative effect on life expectancy. However, the treating physician monitors the course of the disease at regular intervals in order to detect any deterioration at an early stage and to be able to order any necessary adjustments in the treatment. Without therapy, however, the symptoms associated with myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica generally worsen. This leads to severe complications. In particular, the respiratory muscles can fail as the disease progresses. This is not only life-threatening and can lead to premature death, but may also require lifelong artificial respiration. For example, in the past, when no modern therapy for the disease existed, about one-third of those affected died in the first few years of the disease.
Prevention
There are no effective ways to prevent myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica. Because psychological stress may be involved in the development of the disease, it is recommended that patients who are already ill be exposed to as little psychological stress as possible. This can at least curb the progression of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica.
Follow-up
In most cases, the person affected by myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica has very few and only limited measures and options for direct aftercare. For this reason, patients should see a doctor as early as possible to avoid further complications or complaints. The earlier a doctor is contacted, the better the further course of the disease usually is. It is not possible for the disease to heal itself, and the symptoms usually continue to worsen if treatment is not given. Most patients with myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica are dependent on taking various medications. Regular intake and correct dosage should always be ensured in order to alleviate and limit the symptoms. In case of side effects or questions, a doctor should always be consulted first. Any changes on the skin should also always be checked immediately by a doctor. A complete cure is usually not possible. Often, contact with other sufferers of myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica is also useful, as there is an exchange of information, which can facilitate everyday life.
What you can do yourself
Depending on the type of muscle groups affected and the severity of the muscle weakness, there are numerous ways to make everyday life with myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica easier. The daily routine should be tailored to the individual’s ability – it is especially important to plan enough breaks. In the household, aids such as openers for bottles and disposable jars or easy-to-use kitchen utensils compensate for a lack of muscle strength, and a standing aid supports tired legs. Frequently used items are best kept within reach and not above head height, and slippers with non-slip soles prevent falls on slippery floors. When driving a car, power steering and automatic transmission save valuable energy. If visual performance is impaired by double vision, covering one eye with the aid of an eye patch or a special contact lens helps. To ensure that the vision of the covered eye does not continuously decrease, the aid must be used alternately on both eyes. Wearing sunglasses is recommended if eye problems occur especially in bright light. Nicotine, caffeine and larger amounts of alcohol can temporarily intensify the symptoms; a reaction to strong-smelling substances such as cleaning agents or perfume is also possible. Stress and emotional strain, as well as changes in the weather and infections, often severely affect the well-being of those affected.Learning a relaxation technique, as well as being open about the disease, is helpful, especially in worse phases.
