My eyes keep closing. Not fatigue, but immune system problem... 1-minute self-diagnosis method

 

Many people complain of feeling weak and lethargic due to stress and overwork. Unlike simply feeling tired, if muscle weakness is severe enough to interfere with daily life, it could be myasthenia gravis, and should be given attention.

Myasthenia gravis is a type of autoimmune disease caused by the body's immune cells attacking normal tissues or substances. Autoimmune diseases are usually common among young people in their 20s and 30s, but myasthenia gravis is notably more prevalent among patients in their 50s and 60s. Many people consider weakness with aging to be natural, which can lead to the disease worsening.

 

The main symptoms are muscle weakness and fatigue. In particular, early on, eyelid drooping and diplopia (double vision) are common signs of ocular muscle weakness. The facial muscles may also weaken, making chewing, speaking, and swallowing difficult. While 15% of patients with generalized myasthenia gravis exhibit only eye symptoms, the remaining 85% experience weakness in other muscles, leading to limb weakness or, in severe cases, respiratory muscle weakness requiring ventilator support.

 

Myasthenia gravis is often confused with fatigue. However, while fatigue makes you feel weak and exhausted, it does not affect muscle strength when performing tasks. In contrast, patients with myasthenia gravis have difficulty maintaining strength when lifting objects or exerting force. The symptoms may be minimal in the morning but worsen in the afternoon, or improve after rest or sleep, showing fluctuations in muscle weakness. In the early stages, symptoms may come and go, improving or disappearing, but eventually they tend to worsen and spread throughout the body.

 

At the hospital

When gradually lowering the eyelids to look at the sky over the course of one minute

When fixing the gaze to the left and right while facing forward, if the focus does not align within one minute and the eyes diverge

It is advised that if there are pronunciation issues when counting numbers from 1 to 50, myasthenia gravis should be suspected.

 

In this case, the disease is confirmed through additional tests such as repetitive nerve stimulation, measurement of acetylcholine receptor antibodies, and administration of anticholinesterase drugs.

 

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that requires lifelong management. The goal of treatment is to maintain the immune system, prevent disease progression, and appropriately control symptoms so that daily life is not significantly affected. To achieve this, treatments such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, plasma exchange, and thymectomy can be considered.

 

 

So Jeong-min, a neurology professor at Korea University Ansan Hospital, said, "Myasthenia gravis can be managed and patients can live their daily lives without significant inconvenience if it is detected early and treated and managed consistently." He added, "Some patients stop taking medication on their own once symptoms disappear and stop visiting the hospital, but this can lead to worsening symptoms and crises related to myasthenia gravis. Therefore, continuous management through ongoing consultation with a specialist is essential."

 

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1-minute self-diagnosis method

Please try it when you have time.

I don't think there's anything difficult.