Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerve-muscle junction, causing muscle weakness. Myasthenia can show itself in a variety of ways in that it may affect the eye muscles, causing double vision or eyelid drooping, or it may cause difficulty with speaking or swallowing or with limb strength.

Once the diagnosis of myasthenia is confirmed then there are various treatment options to improve muscle strength.

Myasthenia may present symptoms for the first time during or shortly after pregnancy and Dr Norwood has a particular research interest in this area.

Research:

• Myasthenia in pregnancy: best practice guidelines from a U.K. multispecialty working group.
  Norwood F, Dhanjal M, Hill M, James N, Jungbluth H, Kyle P, O’Sullivan G, Palace J, Robb S, Williamson C, Hilton-Jones D, Nelson-Piercy C.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2014
  May;85(5):538-43.
  doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2013-305572. Epub 2013 Jun 11.