MYASTHENIC SYNDROME Meaning and
Definition
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Myasthenic syndrome is a medical condition characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue due to impaired communication between the nerves and muscles. It is often caused by an autoimmune disorder known as myasthenia gravis, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the receptors responsible for transmitting nerve signals to the muscles.
In myasthenic syndrome, the weakened or fatigued muscles typically show symptoms like drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking and swallowing, and limb weakness. The condition may affect various muscle groups, including those responsible for movement, respiration, and overall motor control.
The impairment in nerve-muscle communication is a result of the immune system mistakenly producing antibodies against the acetylcholine receptors, which are crucial for transmitting nerve signals to the muscles. These antibodies obstruct or destroy the receptors, leading to a decrease in the binding of acetylcholine and thereby hindering muscle contraction.
Myasthenic syndrome can significantly impact an individual's daily activities and quality of life. The symptoms may fluctuate, with periods of exacerbation referred to as myasthenic crises, which can be life-threatening if not promptly treated. Diagnosis of the condition often involves various tests, such as electromyography, blood tests for antibody detection, and nerve conduction studies.
Treatment for myasthenic syndrome focuses on managing symptoms and minimizing the impact of muscle weakness. This may involve medications to improve nerve-muscle communication, immune-suppressing drugs to alleviate the autoimmune response, or thymectomy to remove the thymus gland if involved. Physical therapy and lifestyle modifications may also be recommended to help maintain muscle strength and functionality.
Common Misspellings for MYASTHENIC SYNDROME
- nyasthenic syndrome
- kyasthenic syndrome
- jyasthenic syndrome
- mtasthenic syndrome
- mgasthenic syndrome
- mhasthenic syndrome
- muasthenic syndrome
- m7asthenic syndrome
- m6asthenic syndrome
- myzsthenic syndrome
- myssthenic syndrome
- mywsthenic syndrome
- myqsthenic syndrome
- myaathenic syndrome
- myazthenic syndrome
- myaxthenic syndrome
- myadthenic syndrome
- myaethenic syndrome
- myawthenic syndrome
- myasrhenic syndrome
Etymology of MYASTHENIC SYNDROME
The word "myasthenic" is derived from two Greek roots: "myo" meaning muscle, and "asthenia" meaning weakness. The word "syndrome" comes from the Greek word "sundromos" which means "running together" or "concurrence". Therefore, "myasthenic syndrome" refers to a condition characterized by muscle weakness that occurs together as a collection of symptoms.
Similar spelling word for MYASTHENIC SYNDROME
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