Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disorder that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles, which are the muscles your body uses for movement. It occurs when communication between nerve cells and muscles becomes impaired. The word is from the Greek mys "muscle" and astheneia "weakness", and the Latin: gravis "serious”.
An autoimmune neuromuscular disorder resulting in weakness and fatigability of skeletal muscles, usually due to auto antibodies directed against acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Myasthenia results from dysfunction of the neuromuscular synapse (i.e., the neuromuscular junction [NMJ]), causing clinical “fatigue,” which is defined as muscle weakness that worsens with muscle use and improves with rest.
The characteristic feature of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after rest. Certain muscles such as those that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expressions, chewing, talking, and swallowing are often, but not always, involved in the disorder. The muscles that control breathing and neck and limb movements may also be affected.
Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles. It occurs when there is an interruption in transmission of neuro chemical impulses between the nerve and muscle, at the neuromuscular junction (the place where nerve cells connect with the muscles).
There is no direct reference of the disease similar to MG in Ayurvedic texts but based on Nidana, Roopa, Upashaya, and Anupashaya, a probable diagnosis can be made and treated accordingly. Acharya Charaka in Maharog adhyaya enumerated several Vataja varieties of diseases. These are called as Atmaroopas of Vata. Even when these inherent properties are manifested partially, these are diagnosed and treated as the disorders of Vata only. For example, Sramsa(looseness), Bhramsa (dislocation), Vyasa(expansion/division), Sanga(obstruction), Bheda(separation), Sada(general Malaise/depression), Kampa(tremors), Toda(piercing pain), Shosha(wasting), Shoola(colic pain), Supti(numbness), Sankocha(contractions), Sthambha (stiffness). Among them many of the symptoms can be observed in patients of Myasthenia Grvais[MG].