What are the symptoms of a Myasthenia Gravis crisis?
A Myasthenia Gravis crisis involves several breathing difficulties (shortness of breath) due to muscle weakness. A crisis is defined as being unable to breathe to the point that one needs a ventilator, which is a breathing machine. This usually occurs over days to weeks, not suddenly, as the term suggests. The crisis is often induced by another medical condition, such as an infection. In a crisis, the most dangerous signs are breathing and throat muscle weakness. The shortness of breath may become severe enough to require hospitalization for breathing support (ventilator), as well as treatment for the underlying infection. If the problem is not identified and treated correctly, it could lead to death. Problems with swallowing (choking and coughing frequently while eating) from throat muscle problems may lead to aspiration of food into the lungs, which will lead to pneumonia. It is important for MG patients to notify their neurologists with symptoms of shortness of breath.
