Wednesday, June 4, 2008

June is Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month



What is myasthenia gravis?
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic neuromuscular, autoimmune disorder that causes varying degrees of weakness involving the voluntary muscles of the body. Myasthenia gravis means “grave muscle weakness.” It can affect people of all races and in both sexes from infancy to senior citizen. The prevalence rate of patients with MG is estimated to be 20 per 100,000 population. MG may affect any voluntary muscle, but most commonly affects those that control eye movements, eyelids, chewing, swallowing, coughing and facial expression. Muscles that control breathing and movements of the arms and legs may also be affected. At present, the cause of myasthenia gravis is unknown, and there is no cure.

Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc.
1821 University Avenue West, Suite S256
St. Paul, MN 55104-2897
(800) 541-5454
(651) 917-6256
(651) 917-1835 Fax
Materials available

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Readers of this blog might be interested in listening to the comments of a 13 year old boy with Asperger Syndrome about his recent diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis.

While the podcast entitled "Special Feature Interview with Douglas Giesel and An Update Interview with Lewis Schofield" is mostly autism-based, Lewis does comment on his MG. His words are very inspirational.

Midnight In Chicago puts out these free audio podcasts, and they can be listened to at www.mic.mypodcast.com