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Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disorder that results in muscle weakness. It can affect any part of the body and so can have any range of presentations. At Liverpool Neuro Physio we understand that with physiotherapy input the effects of Myasthenia Gravis can be managed in order to limit the impact the condition can have on your daily life.
- What is Myasthenia Gravis?
- Effects of Myasthenia Gravis
- Physiotherapy treatment for Myasthenia Gravis
- Benefits of physiotherapy treatment for Myasthenia Gravis
What is Myasthenia Gravis?
Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disorder, which is where the bodys own immune system attacks healthy tissue by mistake. In Myasthenia Gravis antibodies are produced that stop muscle cells from receiving the messages sent by nerve cells (neurotransmitters).
Myasthenia Gravis can affect any muscle you can voluntarily contract (e.g. muscles in your arms, legs or face, but not muscles like the heart muscle) and cause muscle weakness. There is no known cause for Myasthenia Gravis and it can affect anyone at any age.
Effects of Myasthenia Gravis
The main effect of Myasthenia Gravis is muscle weakness, which commonly gets worse with activity and can ease with rest. The area of muscle and degree to which it is affected varies between each person.
Patients with Myasthenia Gravis can have the following problems:
- Difficult with mobility, such as getting up from a chair, climbing stairs or lifting and carrying.
- Feeling fatigued or low in stamina.
- Difficulty talking, chewing or swallowing (if facial muscles are involved).
- Difficulty breathing (if muscles in the chest are involved).
- Double vision or drooping eyelids (if eye muscles are involved).
- Muscle weakness can be made worse by hot weather, stress, illness (e.g. colds, fever), or over-exertion. Symptoms can get steadily worse over periods of months or years, but tend to stop progressing after around three to five years.
Physiotherapy treatment for Myasthenia Gravis
At the moment there is no cure for Myasthenia Gravis, but some medications prescribed by your doctor may help with the symptoms. Physiotherapy treatment consists of exercise and advice to help you continue your everyday activities and minimise the muscle weakness caused by the condition.
At Liverpool Neuro Physio our specialist neurological physiotherapists understand the importance of exercise for Myasthenia Gravis in combating muscle weakness and keeping your stamina levels up. They also realise the impact of too much activity on your levels of fatigue and would be able to tailor make a programme best suited to you, as well as give advice on making small lifestyle changes that would help you to maximise your potential.
Should your respiratory muscles be affected, physiotherapy can also help to provide breathing exercises in order to keep your chest clear and help you keep control over your breathing.
Benefits of physiotherapy treatment for Myasthenia Gravis
With physiotherapy treatment the effects of Myasthenia Gravis can be managed and monitored so that they have as little effect on your daily life as possible. You will receive personal advice from one of our specialist neurological physiotherapists that will target what matters most to you, and an exercise programme that takes into account the balancing act between keeping you fit and strong, and not provoking the fatigue that this condition can cause.
To arrange an appointment or to speak to one of our specialists, call us on 0151 558 0188 or email office@liverpoolneurophysio.co.uk.