Myasthenia gravis, a disease as rare as it is little known

There are chronic incurable diseases that are very discreet in the medical literature and, in turn, remain little known among the general public and even among health professionals. And yet, once diagnosed, the lives of those who cross their path are often turned upside down at all levels. Myasthenia gravis is one of them.

Microscopy on the MG.

Without going into medical detail, as its name of Greek origin (myasthenia: muscle disease) and Latin (gravis: serious) indicates, myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease which causes extreme fatigue at the level so-called skeletal muscles, such as those of the eyes, legs, jaw or swallowing.

In other words, the more the muscles are used during the day, the more fatigue increases to the point, for some patients, of no longer being able to keep their eyes open or walk, for example. Small consolation, the condition of the muscles generally improves with rest.

Risk of death

However, in the most severe cases, MG also affects the muscles responsible for breathing – and therefore cannot rest -, which can lead to the patient’s vital prognosis if it is not taken into account. charges adequately and above all quickly.