What is "myasthenia gravis"?

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the muscles and causes weakness and fatigue. In this condition, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the areas on muscle cells that receive signals from nerve cells. This disrupts the communication between nerves and muscles, leading to weakness, especially in muscles that control eye movements, facial expressions, swallowing, and limb movements. Symptoms may include drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty chewing or swallowing, weakness in the arms or legs, and fatigue that worsens with activity. Treatment for myasthenia gravis typically involves medications to suppress the immune system's attack on muscle areas, as well as medications to improve nerve-muscle communication. In some cases, surgery to remove the thymus gland, which plays a role in the immune system, may be recommended.