 Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neurological problem that affects your muscles, causing them to be frail and weak. This is caused by a reduced number of acetylcholine receptors that receive signals in your neuromuscular junction due to damage caused by an impaired immune system, where your very own immune response attacks these fundamental structures instead of protecting them from harm.4 Because this disease targets the control center of your body, it is important to incorporate natural and holistic care that will not only help you achieve remission, but also nurture your optimal health. Understanding Myasthenia GravisAcetylcholine, a vital hormone in transmitting responses throughout your nervous system, is constantly being synthesized and stored at special sites in your neuromuscular junction (the area where your neurons communicate and interact with your muscles to deliver signals towards and from the brain). Acetylcholine binds with its receptors to open up channels within the cell, facilitating the entry of essential minerals, such as sodium, to trigger a series of action potentials leading to muscle contraction. In people with myasthenia gravis, the number of acetylcholine receptors are not substantial enough to efficiently regulate these processes, thereby causing weakness due to impaired muscle contractions.4 Signs and SymptomsMyasthenia gravis typically affects women more than men, especially those in their twenties and thirties. People with MG experience weakness and fatigue which worsens with persistent muscle use throughout the day. However, these symptoms are relieved with sleep or rest. Your eye muscles are typically affected first, causing you to experience double vision (diplopia) or droopy eyelids (ptosis). As the condition progresses, you may have facial weakness that will show up as an aggressive or snarling expression every time you try to smile. You may also have problems with chewing for longer periods of time or have difficulty swallowing due to weak oral muscles. Once your speech muscles become affected, your voice quality may change and become mushy. Limb muscles may be affected in some people with myasthenia gravis, leading to proximal and symmetric weakness. Severe cases of myasthenia gravis may lead to a crisis, where your weakness can cause difficulty breathing and even lead to respiratory failure. Allopathic OptionsMyasthenia gravis is conventionally managed with steroids to suppress your immune system and anticholinesterase medications to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, which is an enzyme that degrades acetylcholine. Steroids are used to depress your immune system, thereby preventing its activation and attack on your brain. Myasthenia gravis may also be secondary to a thymoma, which is a tumor in the thymus that produces antibodies attacking acetylcholine receptors in the brain.1 Removal of the thymus may be beneficial in people with tumors present in this organ. The Naturopathic ApproachNaturopathic care for myasthenia gravis focuses on regulating your immune response by addressing the root cause behind why your immune system attacks your own body. These may include holistic counseling sessions, lifestyle modifications, herbal medications, and nutrient supplementation. Holistic Counseling The reason behind autoimmune dysfunction is not only limited to the physical domain of health, an imbalance in your emotional, mental, spiritual, or environmental health can also trigger an autoimmune reaction that precipitates the development of myasthenia gravis. This means that your immune system can attack your body because of a psychological strain! As optimal health is a state of holistic well-being and not just the absence of physical disease, holistic counselling can be beneficial in determining and targeting different phenomena that may affect your overall health. Regular Exercise and Physical Activity Since myasthenia gravis primarily causes fatigability in your muscles, exercise is an effective way to nurture muscle strength and endurance.1 Exercise also helps improve your work of breathing by improving the strength of your respiratory muscles. Botanical Medicine Remedies from nature may be safe and effective adjuncts to your current medication regimens. In fact, the medication you are currently using today may have been developed through studying how medicinal plants work! Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is especially beneficial when you have myasthenia gravis because it protects your brain from degeneration.2 This herb is rich in antioxidants and immunomodulating properties which help maintain a healthy and protective environment within the brain! Aside from ginseng, our team at Natural Path to Wellness will help you discover the best herbal remedies for your case and preferences, talk to us to learn more!  Nutrient Supplementation Supplementing your diet with essential vitamins and minerals can help nurture your body’s natural abilities to heal and protect itself. Vitamin D, in particular, can have powerful benefits in people with myasthenia gravis by exerting immunomodulatory effects and nurturing muscle function.3 On the other hand, vitamin B12 supplementation can help nurture healthy nerves! Nutrient supplementation, however, can only work when needed and when combined with supportive therapies that address the root cause of autoimmune dysfunction. Nurturing Your Brain HealthMyasthenia gravis can cause debilitating effects when not adequately managed. Since the disease targets the neuromuscular junction, which is responsible for maintaining the connection between your brain and muscles, its progression can affect your everyday activities, senses, and breathing (in worst cases). Therefore, managing myasthenia gravis through holistic integrative care is important. This type of approach does not rely on conventional medications for symptom management. Instead, it targets the root cause of autoimmune dysfunction to help your body regain and nurture its inherent ability to heal itself. Curious to learn more? Talk to us today! This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. REFERENCES:
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THE BLOG AT NATURAL PATH TO WELLNESSAuthorSNatural Path to Wellness values community education and welcomes contributions from writers with a background in Naturopathic Medicine, natural health and wellness, herbalism, homeopathy, Nature Cure, and more. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
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