Myasthenia gravis is a serious illness and needs to be carefully monitored by a neurologist. Treatment revolves around special drugs to increase the level of acetylcholine and to suppress the immune system. Surgical removal of the thymus gland has resulted in improvement in as many as 80 percent of patients.   It is important to enhance the levels of acetylcholine in the patient and protect the acetylcholine receptors.

• Fatigue that Worsens as the Day Progresses
  
• Drooping or Weak Eyelids
• Double Vision
• Difficulty Holding One's Head Up or Carrying Things
• Excessive Muscle Weakness, Especially After Exertion
• Slurred Speech
• Shortness of Breath
• Difficulty Speaking or Swallowing, Frequent Gagging or Choking
• Paralysis
• Hoarseness or Changing Voice

With myasthenia gravis disease, weakness in the muscles happens because the nerve impuls to initiate movement doesn't reach the muscle cell properly. This occurs when immune cells target the body's own cells (an autoimmune process). This immune response produces antibodies that attach to affected areas, interfering the muscle cells' ability to receive chemical messages (neurotransmitters) from the nerve cell.

There are only a few possible causes of myasthenia disease that are considered:

• Abnormal Thymus Glad Function
• A Tumor on the Thymus
• An Infection
• Drug-induced Myasthenia Gravis is caused by the Prescription Drug D-Penicillamine

With many patients, the eye muscles are affected first, even though reflexes and sensation are normal. Progressive weakness may affect the arms, legs and swallowing in time.

Tests can include nerve conduction and single-fiber EMG. The presence of acetylcholine recepotr antibodies can be tested for. A Tensilon test can be use by an experienced doctor to evaluate baseline muscle strength. A doctor may prescribe a CT or MRI scan of the chest to check for a thyroid tumor.

How can a hair analysis help one achieve better health? If we consider that diet is what we consume and nutrition is what we retain, then we can see that discovering what the body needs when it needs it is a valuable tool in creating health.

A hair analysis can determine which essential minerals the body is needing more of and which toxic elements it needs to eliminate. It also provides valuable insight into the body's metaoblism and what dietary changes would be most helpful for recovery.

There is no known cure for myasthenia gravis, but certain medications can be given to improve nerve communication and to suppress the immune response of the body. This may result in prolonged periods of remission.

Plasmapheresis, a technique where blood plasma containing antibodies are removed and replaced with antibody-free plasma (donated), may minimize symptoms for up to 4-6 weeks. This procedure is used to optimize conditions before surgical removal of the thymus (thymectomy) is performed.

Patients with droopy eye problems may be given a lens prism to improve vision, or have surgery to improve eye muscle strength.

Many medications can make muscle weakness worse, so it is important to check with your doctor regarding side-effects of any drugs that may be prescribed.

We strongly suggest implementing a natural approach to address the underlying autoimmune response in conjunction with any effective conventional allopathic treatments. Natural detoxification, suppplementation and proper diet can be used to support and rebalance the immune system. Since allopathic medicine typically only treats the symptoms, it is important to address the underlying cause of the autoimmune response to have the best chance for long-term recovery. 

• Eat proper whole foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Animal protein like eggs, turkey, chicken, etc should be organic or free range. Fish should be (preferably) fresh and (definitely) low-to-no mercury.
  
  
• Eliminate, or significantly reduce, refined, processed, packaged and sugary foods. Eliminate fructose and high fructose corn syrup.
  
  
• Use healthy oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, cold-pressed grapeseed oil, avocado oil, ghee (clarified butter), and even organic butter. Oils like coconut and avocado are best to cook with as they have a high “smoke point”. Otherwise, cook your foods and drizzle the oil on afterwards.
  
  
• Drink at least 6 – 8 glasses of purified, alkaline water each day.
  
  
• Decrease caffeine usage.
  
  
• Exercise at least three times per week and daily, if possible.

If there is one thing that seems to be universally true with autoimmune patients, it is that they have a toxic body. The more discomfort you are in, the more pain you are feeling, the sicker and more toxic you are. Inflammation and irritation are classic signs of a toxic body. Although environmental toxins are not the only cause of an autoimmune disease, it may be what is the root cause of the other factors such as candida, viral or bacterial infections.

It is therefore of utmost importance to decrease the toxic burden on the body, give proper nutrients to the cells, and effectively decrease inflammation. This will enhance the quality of life for thyroid disease sufferers, no matter what the level of severity.

Avoid fluoride toothpaste and fluoridated water as they compete with iodine for absorption. Proper bowel elimination and stress reduction are also essential for any symptoms of autoimmunity and maintaining a healthy thyroid.

As is the case with myasthenia gravis disease, all autoimmune diseases have one thing in common: an underlying autoimmune process that is sabatoging the body's ability to stay healthy. We have developed an autoimmune repair plan utilizing natural supplement and detoxification therapies to help combat this autoimmune process. For more information on this, please click here for our Autoimune Repair Plan report .

What is Autoimmune Disease?
Autoimmunity is, simply put, the process by which the immune system attacks its own healthy tissues and organs.
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Causes of Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune diseases do not have one specific cause; rather, there seems to be a combination of factors involved.
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Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease
Although the different autoimmune diseases vary widely in terms of symptomology, the following are the most commonly experienced symptoms.
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Sterols and Sterolins
These immune supplements have been shown in clinical trials to have anecdotal usage to provide nutritional support for autoimmune diseases.
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Author's Autoimmune Disease Experience
Author shares her own personal experiences with autoimmune diseases and how she found her way back to health.
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Resources and Consultants
This page lists some autoimmune resources and consultants that may be helpful to you.
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