| Myasthenia gravis- a rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks receptors on muscles which control muscle contraction (by making antibodies to the receptors); as a result the muscles do not receive the message to contract and become weak- muscles that become particularly weak are of the face, arms, and legs (the ones used the most); uaually affects women 20-30 years of age and men over the age of 50 *symptoms: may unfold gradually or quickly; muscles tire abnormally fast, weak droopy eyelids, double-vision, weakness in face, throat, neck (which causes difficulty speaking, eating, and/or swallowing), arms, and legs, can also cause weakness in muscles that control breathing Informative Link: Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America <<back |