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WHAT
IS MYASTHENIA GRAVIS?
Myasthenia Gravis is an auto
immune disease which is characterized by fluctuating, sometimes fatal
muscle weakness.
The Body's immune system, in the form of antibodies, attacks and damages
the nerve signal reception areas causing a breakdown in communication
between nerve and muscle, which results in a loss of effectiveness of
the muscle.
WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN?
To someone affected by Myasthenia
Gravis it means that symptoms vary accordingly to the amount of activity
undergone, the onset of infection or stress of any kind. As a
result diagnosis by a GP is extremely difficult. Also family and
friends need a great deal of understanding to come to terms with a
relative or friend who seems perfectly normal one moment, and a few
hours, or even minutes later is droopy and listless.
Activities taken for granted by most of us become difficult or even
impossible at times for Myasthenics. Simple things like eating
food, lifting arms, speaking to friends or laughing.
WHAT
IS BEING DONE?
The Myasthenia Gravis Association is a Charity working from its
headquarters in Derby through its Branches and Representatives
throughout the country, offering support to Myasthenics and their
families, increasing public and medical awareness and raising funds for
research in order to find a cure. Recent research has resulted in
more understanding and better management of the disease but there is
still no cure.
THE
FUTURE?
Indications from the MGA supported Research Centre in Oxford are that
if we can keep up the momentum, a breakthrough will come in the not too
distant future. So there is a great need for money to carry on the
work of supporting Myasthenics and funding research.
Myasthenia Gravis
Association
Keynes House, Chester Park
Alfreton Road, Derby DE21 4AS
Tel: 01332 290 219 Fax: 01332 293 641 |
