Causes of Myasthenia Gravis

List of causes of Myasthenia Gravis

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Myasthenia Gravis) that could possibly cause Myasthenia Gravis includes:

• Thymus tumor
• Thymus abnormality

Causes of Myasthenia Gravis (Diseases Database):

The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Myasthenia Gravis that are listed by the Diseases Database:

• Thymoma

Causes of Myasthenia Gravis: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Myasthenia Gravis.

Myasthenia gravis: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Myasthenia gravis causes a failure in transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction. Theoretically, such impairment may result from an autoimmune response, ineffective acetylcholine release, or inadequate muscle fiber response to acetylcholine. (See Impaired transmission in myasthenia gravis.)

Myasthenia gravis affects 3 of every 10,000 people at any age, but it’s more common in young women and older men. About 20% of neonates born to mothers with myasthenia gravis have transient (or occasionally persistent) myasthenia. This disease may coexist with immunologic and thyroid disorders; about 15% of patients with myasthenia gravis have thymomas. Remissions occur in about 25% of patients.

READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Myasthenia gravis: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

Myasthenia gravis causes a failure in transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction. Such impairment may result from an autoimmune response, ineffective acetylcholine release, or inadequate muscle fiber response to acetylcholine.

Myasthenia gravis affects 3 in 10,000 people at any age and is more common in young women and older men.

This disease may coexist with immune and thyroid disorders; about 15% of myasthenic patients have thymomas. Remissions occur in about 25% of patients.

gender influence  Pregnancy is possible for female patients with myasthenia gravis, although they must be closely supervised. About 20% of infants born to myasthenic mothers have transient, or occasionally persistent myasthenia. The infant appears temporarily weak and may require medications for a few weeks after birth. Usually the baby doesn’t develop the disorder, but he must receive follow-up attention.

READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Myasthenia Gravis as a symptom:

Conditions listing Myasthenia Gravis as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Myasthenia Gravis. Our database lists the following as having Myasthenia Gravis as a symptom of that condition:

• Angiofollicular lymph hyperplasia

What causes Myasthenia Gravis?

Causes: Myasthenia Gravis: Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. Normally when impulses travel down the nerve, the nerve endings release a neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine. In myasthenia gravis, antibodies produced by the body's own immune system block, alter, or destroy the receptors for acetylcholine. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Myasthenia Gravis Information Page: NINDS)

Medical news summaries relating to Myasthenia Gravis:

The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Myasthenia Gravis:

• Autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction

Related information on causes of Myasthenia Gravis:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Myasthenia Gravis may be found in:

• Hidden causes of Myasthenia Gravis