PNS conditions

what is myasthenia gravis?

- chronic autoimmune disease causing various degrees of weakness of skeletal muscle

is there change in life expectancy with myasthenia gravis?

no

what causes myasthenia gravis?

- antibodies block and alter the receptors for ACh at the neuromuscular junction, preventing muscles from contracting

explain how myasthenia gravis is related to the thymus

- some cases are associated with thymus abnormalities

- thymus usually stops growing after puberty, but in some people it does not stop growing

what is transient neonatal myasthenia gravis?

- not inherited or contagious

- fetus may acquire antibodies from the mother

- temporary and goes away in 2-3mo

what is often the initial sign of myasthenia gravis?

- ocular signs

- ptosis

- double vision (monocular, side by side, up and down, combined)

what is ocular myasthenia gravis?

- nerve endings in the cranial region are affected

- eyelids fall asymmetrically

- double vision

T/F: people who experience ocular myasthenia gravis can go on to develop generalized myasthenia gravis?

- 50%

when is it considered a myasthenia medical emergency/crisis? what causes it?

- muscles that control breathing weaken to the point where a person needs a vent to breathe

- usually triggered by infection, stress, surgery

what is treatment for myasthenia gravis?

- no cure

- medications can be used to treat

- thymectomy

- immunosuppressants

T/F: respiratory training is beneficial with myasthenia gravis?

true

what CN is impacted by Bells palsy?

VII

what medication is immediately used for Bells palsy?

corticosteroids

what is the prognosis for Bells palsy?

- full recovery within 1 year, most people feel better within a few weeks

what is Guillain barre?

- inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

- autoimmune response

- strength loss in distal segments

T/F: there is ascending weakness with guillian barre?

true

does guillian barre have UMN or LMN?

- LMN

what causes GB?

- usually starts a few days or weeks after respiratory or GI infection (or surgery)

what would be the difference between transverse myelitis and guillian barre?

- GBS is more distal, which transvere myelitis has myotomal distribution due to spinal cord

- GBS = LMN

- transverse myelitis = UMN

what is treatment for GBS?

- help reduce severity and shorten recovery

- can have a full recovery in weeks to years

what is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy?

- T2D when unmanaged

what are 3 other causes of peripheral neuropathy (other than T2D)?

- alcohol

- vitamin deficiencies

- medications/toxins (chemo)