Many people experience muscle weakness and assume it is due to tiredness, stress, aging, or lack of sleep. But if your weakness gets worse with activity and improves after rest, especially when it affects your eyes, speech, swallowing, or arms and legs, it may be a sign of Myasthenia Gravis (MG).
Myasthenia Gravis is a neurological condition that affects communication between nerves and muscles. Recognising the early symptoms of myasthenia gravis can help with timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Dr. Rahul Chawla, Consultant Neurologist at ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, Vasant Kunj, evaluates patients with muscle weakness and neuromuscular disorders and provides personalised neurological care.
Table of Contents
What Is Myasthenia Gravis?
Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that affects communication between nerves and muscles.
Normally, nerves send signals to muscles that allow them to contract and produce movement. In Myasthenia Gravis, the immune system interferes with this communication, resulting in muscle weakness.
A characteristic feature is fatigable weakness — the muscles become weaker with repeated use and may improve after rest.
It can affect the muscles responsible for:
- Eye movements
- Facial expressions
- Chewing
- Swallowing
- Speaking
- Neck movement
- Arm and leg movement
- Breathing in severe cases
Common Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia Gravis symptoms can vary from person to person.
Common symptoms include:
- Drooping of one or both eyelids
- Double vision
- Difficulty keeping the eyes open
- Weakness while chewing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Slurred or nasal speech
- Weakness in the neck
- Difficulty lifting the arms
- Difficulty climbing stairs
- Weakness that becomes worse with activity
Some patients may initially experience only eye-related symptoms, while others develop weakness in several muscle groups.
Why Does Muscle Weakness Get Worse With Activity?
One of the most important clues in Myasthenia Gravis is the pattern of weakness.
For example, a person may:
- See normally in the morning but develop double vision later in the day
- Speak normally initially but develop slurred speech after prolonged talking
- Walk comfortably for a short distance but develop weakness after continued activity
- Have difficulty keeping their eyelids open after reading or using screens for a long time
The weakness may improve temporarily after resting.
This pattern of muscle weakness that worsens with activity is different from ordinary tiredness and should be discussed with a neurologist if it keeps happening.
What Causes Myasthenia Gravis?
Myasthenia Gravis occurs because of an abnormal immune response against proteins involved in communication between nerves and muscles.
Commonly involved antibodies include antibodies against:
- Acetylcholine receptors
- Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK)
- Other neuromuscular junction proteins in some patients
The thymus gland may also play a role in some cases.
Myasthenia Gravis is not simply caused by stress, lack of sleep, or physical weakness, although illness, stress, heat, and exertion may worsen symptoms in some people.
How Is Myasthenia Gravis Diagnosed?
Myasthenia Gravis diagnosis begins with a detailed neurological examination and assessment of the pattern of muscle weakness.
Investigations may include:
- Neurological examination
- Antibody blood tests
- Repetitive nerve stimulation
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Single-fibre EMG in selected patients
- Imaging of the chest to evaluate the thymus gland when appropriate
- Additional tests to rule out other causes of muscle weakness
Accurate diagnosis is important because several neurological and muscular conditions can cause similar symptoms.
Treatment for Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia Gravis can often be managed effectively with appropriate treatment.
Depending on the severity and type of symptoms, Myasthenia Gravis treatment may include:
- Medicines that improve communication between nerves and muscles
- Immunosuppressive medications
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in selected situations
- Plasma exchange in certain severe cases
- Treatment of associated thymus abnormalities when appropriate
- Physiotherapy and supportive care
- Regular neurological monitoring
Treatment is personalised according to the patient’s symptoms, severity, antibody status, and response to therapy.
When Should You Consult a Neurologist?
You should seek neurological evaluation if you experience:
- Repeated drooping of the eyelids
- Double vision that worsens with fatigue
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Speech that becomes weaker or slurred after prolonged talking
- Weakness that worsens with activity
- Difficulty lifting your arms
- Difficulty climbing stairs
- Unexplained weakness that improves after rest
Severe difficulty breathing or swallowing is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
At ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, Vasant Kunj, Dr. Rahul Chawla provides neurological evaluation and management for Myasthenia Gravis, muscle weakness, and other neuromuscular disorders.
Visit ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, Vasant Kunj
Consult Dr. Rahul Chawla, AIIMS-trained Consultant Neurologist at ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, Vasant Kunj, for expert evaluation of Myasthenia Gravis, unexplained muscle weakness, and other neurological disorders in South Delhi.
Clinic Address: ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, Plot C, Vasant Kunj Rd, opposite Vasant Valley School, IAA Colony, Sector C, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, Delhi, 110070
Phone: +91 96259 60259
Website:Â www.drrahulchawla.com
Online Consultation & Appointments
Serving patients from: Vasant Kunj, Saket, Hauz Khas, RK Puram, Green Park, Malviya Nagar, Greater Kailash, South Extension, Safdarjung Enclave, and nearby South Delhi areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the early symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis?
Early myasthenia gravis symptoms may include drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking, and muscle weakness that becomes worse with repeated activity.
How is Myasthenia Gravis different from normal muscle fatigue?
In Myasthenia Gravis, weakness typically becomes worse with repeated muscle use and may improve after rest. It can also affect specific muscle groups such as the eyes, face, throat, or limbs.
Can Myasthenia Gravis be treated?
Yes. Several treatments can improve symptoms and control the abnormal immune response. Treatment depends on the severity and type of Myasthenia Gravis.
When is Myasthenia Gravis an emergency?
Severe difficulty breathing or swallowing can indicate significant muscle weakness and requires immediate emergency medical attention.
How can I book an appointment with Dr. Rahul Chawla?
Patients can call +91 96259 60259 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rahul Chawla, a leading neurologist in South Delhi. Online consultations and second opinions are also available through HealthPil.
Content Details
Written By
Dr. Rahul Chawla
MBBS, MD Medicine, DM Neurology (AIIMS Delhi)
