The renowned Bollywood actor, Amitabh Bachan has often made headlines for his various ailments. Ever since his accident during the shoot for Coolie movie, the actor has struggled with health-related issues, including liver ailment, Cirrhosis, and Hepatitis B.
All of this has always been public knowledge. But do you know Amitabh Bachan has also battled another rare and incurable illness – Myasthenia Gravis? It is a lesser-known fact that Amitabh Bachan was also diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a muscle dysfunctional disorder.
The severity of this condition can be judged by the fact that it makes it difficult for the ailing person to perform basic tasks such as brushing teeth, picking up things, walking, etc.
What’s worse is the fact that this illness has no cure. Keep reading to learn more about this incurable illness and Amitabh Bachan’s fight against it. This article will be especially useful if you are a medical student. Make sure to give it a read for better NEET PG preparation.
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
This disorder is known to affect the skeletal muscles’ neuromuscular junction (NMJ). It leads to reduced transmission of electrical impulses across the neuromuscular junctions, leading to muscle weakness. This muscle weakness results from forming autoantibodies against specific postsynaptic membrane proteins.
CAUSES OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
Thus far, no exact cause of Myasthenia Gravis is unknown. However, some of the factors that play a role are as follows –
Thymus Gland:
Thymus abnormality, thymic hyperplasia, and thymoma can cause MG.
Antibodies:
The disorder directly affects the immune system by causing it to produce antibodies that block or destroy muscles’ receptor sites for acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter). Since the receptor sites are affected, the nerve signals received by the muscles are also reduced, which leads to weakness.
Genetic transmission:
In some cases, the condition is passed on from the mother during birth. In such cases, prompt treatment can aid recovery within two months of birth. Another form is when a child is born with congenital MG, which is a hereditary form of the disease.
SYMPTOMS
- Ptosis (Asymmetrical ptosis weakness)
- Diplopia
- Snarling faces – when asked to smile
- Chewing muscle weakness
- Nasal Twang to voice – weakness of soft palate
- Nasal Regurgitation of food
- Aspiration risk is high
- Dysphagia – Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
- Dysarthria – muscles of vocal cords are affected
- Deep tendon reflexes are preserved
- Sensory function normal
- Proximal Muscle weakness
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosing MG requires conducting several tests and physical examinations. The tests include the following:
- Neurological exam
- Ice Pack test
- Blood analysis
- Repetitive nerve stimulation
- Single-fiber electromyography
- Imaging
- Pulmonary function tests
The tests mentioned above allow the doctor to determine the condition and prescribe a course of treatment.
TREATMENT/ MANAGEMENT
Myasthenia Gravis is a lifelong condition that has no cure. All one can do is manage the symptoms. In most cases, the patient’s age, overall health, medical history, condition, and response to a specific medicine, procedure, or therapy are considered.
Early detection is the key to managing MG and recouping from the symptoms.
Important: NEET PG 2023: High-Yield Topics For PSM
Wrapping Up
The information above clearly highlights the severity of Myasthenia Gravis. Amitabh Bachan has bravely battled the illness and has been able to manage the symptoms. There are several other celebrities battling such rare and dangerous illnesses. Stay tuned to know about them along with some excellent medical information.
Also Read: Tips for Studying on Your Smartphone for That Government Test
