Myasthenia Gravis

Overview

Myasthenia gravis (my-us-THEE-nee-uh GRAY-vis) is characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under your voluntary control.

Myasthenia gravis is caused by a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles.

There is no cure for myasthenia gravis, but treatment can help relieve signs and symptoms, such as weakness of arm or leg muscles, double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing.

Though myasthenia gravis can affect people of any age, it's more common in women younger than 40 and in men older than 60.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for myasthenia gravis

• Experience. Mayo Clinic doctors trained in nervous system conditions (neurologists), chest surgeons (thoracic surgeons) and other specialists have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating myasthenia gravis. Doctors also have experience treating rare, hereditary forms of myasthenia called congenital myasthenic syndromes.
• Team approach. Neurologists work with an integrated team of chest surgeons (thoracic surgeons), cancer specialists (oncologists) and others to evaluate your condition and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
• Efficient system. In Mayo Clinic's system, your testing and diagnosis usually can be done in just days.
• Surgical experience. Mayo Clinic thoracic surgeons are experienced in treating myasthenia gravis and performing surgery to remove the thymus gland (thymectomy). At Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, you may have the option of a minimally invasive thymectomy, which may include a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or robotic surgery. Not all surgical options are available at all Mayo locations.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked high performing for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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