Myasthenia Gravis by The Rambler
There was a young man named Travis
Who got myasthenia gravis.
His regular doctor
thought him off his rocker
but it was really just his thymus.
***
Myasthenia gravis (mi-uhs-THEE-ne-uh GRA-vis) is characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under your voluntary control. The cause of myasthenia gravis is a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles due to an immune system that creates antibodies that attack the neuromuscular junction.
There is no cure for myasthenia gravis, but treatment can help relieve signs and symptoms — such as weakness of arm or leg muscles, double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing. Treatment is usually by medications that depress the immune system to inhibit production of antibodies, and leaves the patient susceptible to difficulties resisting normal infections and viruses. In some patients the thymus gland appears to be at fault and may be removed if enlarged or cancerous.
