Myasthenia Gravis

A grave disorder in which the immune system progressively destroys the junctions between the nerves and skeletal muscles.  Depending on the muscles affected, symptoms may include muscle fatigue that improves with rest, droopy eyelids or double vision, difficulty swallowing or breathing.  Most patients have abnormalities of the thymus gland such as tumors.  Treatments include medications to raise acetycholine levels and surgical removal of the thymus.