3. DEFINITION:
• Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune
disorder affecting the myoneural
junction, is characterized by varying
degrees of weakness of the voluntary
muscles.

4. CAUSES:
• In MG, the receptors at the muscle
surface are destroyed or deformed by
antibodies that prevent a normal
muscular reaction from occurring.
• The causative factor is unknown, but the
disorder may have a genetic link.

5. RISK FACTORS:
Risk factors for myasthenia gravis
include:
• Female gender and age under 40 years
• Male gender and age over 60 years
• Other autoimmune disorders

6. Factors that can worsen myasthenia
gravis
• Fatigue
• Illness
• Stress
• Extreme heat
• Some medications — such as beta
blockers, calcium channel blockers,
quinine and some antibiotics

7. PATHO PHYSIOLOGY:
POSTER

8. SIGN AND SYMPTOMS:
• Diplopia and ptosis

9. • Weakness of the muscles of the face and
the throat, and generalized weakness.
Weakness of the facial muscles results in
bland facial expression.
• Laryngeal irritation causes voice
impairment and dysphonias and
increases the patient’s risk for choking
and aspiration.

10. • Generalized weakness of all the
extremities and the intercoastal
muscles resulting in decreased
respiratory capacity and vital capacity.
• Myasthenia gravis is purely a motor
disorder with no effect on the
sensation and coordination.

11. DIAGNOSTIC TEST:
• Edrophonium test:
Injection of the chemical edrophonium
(Tensilon) may result in a sudden,
although temporary, improvement in
muscle strength - an indication that
patient may have myasthenia gravis.

12. Blood analysis
• A blood test may reveal the presence of
abnormal antibodies that disrupt the
receptor sites where nerve impulses
signal muscles to move.

13. Ice Pack Test
• Cooling may improve
neuromuscular transmission. In a
patient with myasthenia gravis who
has ptosis, placing ice over an
eyelid will lead to cooling of the lid,
which leads to improvement of the
ptosis.

14. • Repetitive nerve stimulation
• Pulmonary function tests

15. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT:
• Cholinesterase inhibitors.
• Corticosteroids
• Immunosuppressant
Plasmapheresis

16. SURGICAL MANAGEMENT

17. DIETARY MANAGEMENT
• Reduce protein intake to 10 percent of
total calories; replace animal protein as
much as possible with plant protein
• Eliminate milk and milk products
(substitute other calcium sources).
• Eat more fruits and vegetables (make
sure that they are organically grown).

18. • Eliminate polyunsaturated vegetable
oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, all
partially hydrogenated oils, and all foods
(such as deep-fried foods) that might
contain trans-fatty acids. Use extra-virgin
olive oil as your main fat.
• Take ginger.

19. NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Ineffective breathing pattern related to
intercoastal muscle weakness
• Impaired verbal communication related
to weakness of the larynx ,lips, mouth,
paharynx and jaw

20. • Impaired physical mobility related to
voluntary muscle weakness
• Risk for aspiration related to weakness of
the bulbar muscles
• Disturbed sensory perception related to
ptosis,and decreased eye movements.

22. ASSIGNMENT
Write down Nursing Care plan of patient
with Myasthenia Gravis.

24. BIBLIOGRAPHY