The 20 Best Myasthenia Gravis Doctors Near Me in Knoxville, TN

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder. Neuromuscular disorders involve the muscles and the nerves that control them.

A myasthenia gravis care team often includes several types of specialists who work together to manage symptoms: 

• Neurologists lead the care team, as myasthenia gravis primarily affects nerve and muscle communication. They conduct blood tests to check for biomarkers and nerve tests like electromyography to see how nerves and muscles work together.   

• Rheumatologists may help if other autoimmune diseases are present because they specialize in treating diseases that attack the immune system. 

• Pulmonologists are lung doctors who monitor and treat breathing issues, which can be affected by myasthenia gravis. 

• Ophthalmologists are eye doctors who can address vision-related symptoms, such as drooping eyelids or double vision. 

• Speech-language pathologists assist with any speech or swallowing difficulties due to weakness in the muscles of the throat, face, and jaw. 

• Physical and occupational therapists help patients maintain muscle strength and mobility and navigate daily activities safely to avoid injury. 

• Primary care physicians coordinate care and manage general health needs. 

Myasthenia gravis is both an autoimmune and a neurological disorder. It is autoimmune because the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of itself. In myasthenia gravis, the immune system attacks the proteins that allow nerves and muscles to communicate. This causes problems in the neurological system, which controls muscles, leading to muscle weakness and tiredness. The condition mostly affects muscles that control eye movement, eyelids, facial expressions, chewing, and even breathing. Because it’s both an autoimmune and neurological disorder, rheumatologists and neurologists may work together to help manage it. 

Myasthenia gravis is treated in a few different ways to help people manage their symptoms. Doctors may prescribe medicines like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which can improve muscle strength by helping nerves send signals to muscles more easily. Immunosuppressive drugs, which slow down the immune system, can also help by stopping the immune system from attacking the body’s own muscle proteins. In more serious cases, doctors might suggest treatments like plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulin, which work quickly to reduce symptoms by removing harmful antibodies from the blood or adding good antibodies to fight the disease. Some people might also have surgery called a thymectomy to remove the thymus gland, which can lower the immune system’s attacks over time. 

Myasthenia gravis can start with mild symptoms, like drooping eyelids or tiredness in the face or neck. Over time, the weakness can spread to other muscles, making it harder to chew, speak, or even breathe in serious cases. The condition can get worse during times of stress, illness, or with certain medications, which may lead to what’s called a “myasthenic crisis.” In a myasthenic crisis, muscle weakness becomes so severe that breathing muscles are affected, and emergency medical help is needed. Managing symptoms, getting enough rest, and avoiding triggers like stress or infections can help slow the progression and keep the symptoms more stable. 

Most people with myasthenia gravis can live a normal life span, especially with good medical care. Even though myasthenia gravis is a chronic (long-term) condition, today’s treatments can help most people control their symptoms and live active lives. Some people may have periods when their symptoms get worse, especially if it affects their breathing. With the right treatment and regular check-ups, most complications can be prevented.