Myasthenia Gravis
The Neurology & Neuromuscular Care Center has specialized experience to care for individuals living with Myasthenia Gravis (MG). As a complex autoimmune neuromuscular disorder, MG requires modulating or suppressing the immune response. Our multidisciplinary team offers expert diagnosis, careful immune response monitoring, and long-term disease management to help patients regain strength, reduce symptom flare-ups, and maintain independence. We work closely with each patient to create a proactive care plan that supports both immediate symptom control and long-term stability.
We are recognized by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America as a Partner in MG Care. These partners are committed to
Providing quality care to MG patients
Empowering patients and caregivers by providing accessible education and resources
Participating in knowledge-sharing, professional education, and networking opportunities in the MG space
Engaging with and staying informed about the work of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
What is Myasthenia Gravis?
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes weakness in voluntary muscles. Voluntary muscles are muscles you control and can be responsible for eye motion, facial expression, chewing, swallowing, speaking, and limb movement. Patients can also experience difficulty breathing and in severe cases respiratory failure.
In MG, the immune system mistakenly attacks the communication point between nerves and muscles, called the neuromuscular junction. This disrupts the transmission of signals from nerves to muscles, leading to fluctuating muscle weakness that typically worsens with activity and improves with rest.
What Causes MG?
Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger that helps nerves signal muscles to contract. In myasthenia gravis, the immune system mistakenly causes the body to produce antibodies that block, alter, or destroy acetylcholine receptors or other receptors like MuSK and LRP4.
When these receptors are blocked or destroyed, muscle contraction becomes weak and inefficient. There is no way to prevent or cure MG, and it is rarely inherited. However, treatment can help manage symptoms.
How Common is MG?
Myasthenia gravis affects approximately 14 to 20 people per 100,000 individuals in the United States. Although considered a rare disease, improved awareness and diagnostic testing have led to increased identification of cases in recent years.
MG can affect individuals of any age but is more commonly diagnosed in women under 40 and men over 60.
What Are the Symptoms of MG?
Early Symptoms
The first symptoms of MG often involve the eyes and face. These may include:
Drooping eyelids (ptosis)
Double vision (diplopia)
Facial weakness
Generalized Symptoms
As MG progresses, symptoms may extend beyond the eyes and can include:
Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Slurred or nasal speech
Weakness in the arms, hands, fingers, legs, or neck
Shortness of breath
Fatigue that worsens with activity
Difficulty holding up the head
Weak grip strength
A serious complication known as myasthenic crisis can occur when breathing muscles become severely weakened, requiring urgent medical intervention.
A hallmark of MG is fluctuating weakness — symptoms often improve with rest and worsen with prolonged activity.
How is MG Diagnosed?
Diagnosing MG involves a combination of clinical evaluation and specialized testing. Because symptoms can fluctuate and mimic other neurological conditions, expert assessment is essential.
Diagnostic tools may include:
Blood tests to detect antibodies associated with MG
Nerve conduction studies and repetitive nerve stimulation tests
Single-fiber electromyography (EMG)
Imaging (CT or MRI) to evaluate the thymus gland
Bedside clinical tests evaluating muscle fatigue
Early and accurate diagnosis allows treatment to begin promptly, which can significantly improve outcomes and reduce complications.
What Are the 5 Stages of MG?
MG is commonly classified using the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) Clinical Classification system, which includes five main stages:
Class I – Ocular MG
Weakness limited to eye muscles (ptosis and/or double vision).
Class II – Mild Generalized MG
Mild weakness affecting muscles beyond the eyes, such as facial or limb muscles.
Class III – Moderate Generalized MG
More pronounced weakness impacting daily activities but not requiring ventilatory support.
Class IV – Severe Generalized MG
Severe muscle weakness that significantly limits function.
Class V – Myasthenic Crisis
Life-threatening weakness requiring intubation or mechanical ventilation.
Understanding the stage of MG helps guide treatment decisions and monitoring strategies.
How Do You Typically Treat MG?
While there is currently no cure for MG, effective treatments are available to control symptoms and suppress the abnormal immune response.
Treatment options may include:
Symptom-relief medications
Medications that improve communication between nerves and muscles, helping to temporarily increase strength.
Immunosuppressive therapies
Steroids and other medications that reduce the immune system’s attack on the neuromuscular junction.
Biologic therapies and advanced treatments
Targeted therapies designed to interrupt specific immune pathways involved in MG.
Plasmapheresis or IVIG
Infusion-based treatments used during severe flare-ups or myasthenic crises.
Thymectomy
Surgical removal of the thymus gland in appropriate patients, which can improve symptoms or induce remission.
At the Neurology & Neuromuscular Care Center, we tailor each treatment plan based on patient needs, disease severity and lifestyle. With consistent monitoring and modern therapies, many individuals with MG achieve lead active, fulfilling lives.
Contact
Phone: (972) 982-7411
FAX: (972) 982-7610
Email: newpatient@neuromdcenter.com
Business Hours:
Monday – Friday
9AM- 5PM By Appointment Only
1651 Justin Rd.
Flower Mound, TX 75028
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