Asthenia is a condition characterized by weakness, fatigue, and muscle weakness. It can be caused by various conditions, including cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, and anemia. Myasthenia gravis is a form of asthenia caused by an overproduction of antibodies that prevent nerve impulses from reaching the muscles. Diagnosis can be difficult, and treatment may involve immunosuppressive drugs or the removal of the thymus gland. Pregnant women with the condition can pass it on to their unborn baby, but it can be prevented with treatment.
Asthenia is a term used to describe a lack of energy, strength, or a general feeling of weakness. It can also refer to feeling tired all the time and muscle fatigue. Several conditions can contribute to the disorder, including cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, and anemia. Some forms of the condition are linked to immune system disorders that prevent muscles from functioning normally.
Myasthenia gravis is a form of fatigue that disrupts the signal sent by the nerves that control muscle contraction. In this form of fatigue, the immune system produces too many antibodies which prevent nerve impulses from reaching the muscles. Weakness can occur in the face, limbs, neck, or muscles that control breathing.
The first sign of this disease is commonly seen in the eye muscles and can affect the eyelid or the muscles that control vision. In some patients, slurred speech or difficulty swallowing could be a sign of the disorder. For others, weakness in the legs may appear causing an uneven gait. Symptoms commonly vary from person to person in how they appear and how severe they are.
Diagnosing the various forms of asthenia often takes years, especially if the symptoms are mild, because the signs can mimic other diseases. A blood test can detect high levels of certain antibodies that trigger the disorder when the eye is affected. In other tests, a substance may be injected into the patient that causes the muscle weakness to temporarily resolve. Some doctors use a device in the diagnosis process to stimulate nerves and muscles to measure whether they are reacting normally. Asthenia can affect both sexes at any age, but is more common in children.
Pregnant women with the condition can pass it on to an unborn baby. The mother’s antibodies could attack the fetus, which then becomes paralyzed and unable to move in the uterus. After birth, the baby may suffer from limited joint motion, often in multiple joints. There is no cure for this type of asthenia, but it can be prevented if the mother is treated with drugs that limit the production of antibodies during pregnancy.
Asthenia due to autoimmune system disorders can be controlled with immunosuppressive drugs that block the overproduction of antibodies and improve muscle strength. In some patients, a thymus gland disorder contributes to the weakness, and its removal may help. Sometimes, donor blood is also used to remove abnormal antibodies from the blood.
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