hedgegrail pharmacy logo
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. By clicking 'I Understand and Accept', you consent to our use of cookies.
I understand and accept
No, I don't want to use cookies
My Account
Control Panel
An example toast message
Do Something
Login
en
en
hedgegrail pharmacy logo
Menu
en
en
Change Language
Login
My Account
Control Panel
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy Services
Our Store
Health Advice
Order
Log Out
Login
Login
en
en
Do Something
Login
en
en
hedgegrail pharmacy logo
Menu
en
en
Change Language
Login
My Account
Control Panel
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy Services
Our Store
Health Advice
Order
Log Out
Login
Login
en
en
Symptoms

Myasthenia gravis causes muscle weakness that typically has times when it improves and other times when it gets worse.

It often affects the eyes and face first, but usually spreads to other parts of the body over time.

The severity of the weakness varies from person to person. It tends to be worse when you're tired and gets better after resting.

In some people, the symptoms can also have other triggers, such as stress, infections and certain medicines.

Eyes, eyelids and face

This can cause:

For some people, only the eye muscles are affected. This is known as "ocular myasthenia".

But for most people, the weakness spreads to other parts of the body over a few weeks, months or years.

If you've had symptoms affecting your eyes for 2 years or more, it's unusual for other parts of your body to be affected later on.

Swallowing, speaking and breathing

If the weakness affects the muscles in the mouth, throat and chest, it can cause:

Some people with myasthenia gravis also experience severe breathing difficulties, known as a "myasthenic crisis".

Call 999 for an ambulance immediately if you have worsening severe breathing or swallowing difficulties, as you may need emergency treatment in hospital.

Limbs and other parts of the body

The weakness caused by myasthenia gravis can also spread to other parts of the body, including the neck, arms and legs.

This can cause:

  • difficulty holding your head up
  • difficulty with physical tasks, such as lifting, getting up from sitting to standing, climbing stairs, brushing your teeth or washing your hair
  • a waddling walk
  • aching muscles after using them

The weakness tends to be worse in the arms than in the legs and feet.

Last Reviewed
02 October 2023
NHS websiteNHS website
hedgegrail pharmacy logo
Hedgegrail Pharmacy in Stoke Poges offers a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as health and beauty products
Company Registration: 2041755
Premises GPhC: 1099892
Superintendent: Baljit Singh Bahra
Do Something
Do Something
Menu
Pharmacy First
All Pharmacy First Services
Earache
Impetigo
Insect Bite
Shingles
Sinusitis
Sore Throat
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Pharmacy Services
Order Prescriptions
Our Store
Health Advice
Opening Hours
Store Hours Unavailable
No store selected for opening hours
Loading Open Hours...
Hedgegrail Pharmacy © 2024
Privacy Policy