Peripheral Nervous System Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
Myasthenia Gravis means ‘grave muscle weakness’ or weakness of the voluntary or striated muscles.
May take many forms, from mild ocular muscle disturbance to severe weakness leading to death from respiratory failure.
Clients with MG develop specific antibodies to one or more ACh receptor sites, possibly because of autoimmune injury.
Etiology
Research suggests that MG is caused by antibodies to ACh receptors. Evidence also suggests a relationship between MG and hyperplasia of the thymus gland.