Monica Tennis Champion Seles reveals an incurable disease, since the doctor shares what to know
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The tennis champion, Monica Seles, speaks publicly for the first time about her battle with a rare and incurable muscle drainage disease.
Miastenia Gravis (MG) is a chronic neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in “voluntary muscles”, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and strokes.
Voluntary muscles are those that connect to bones, face, throat and diaphragm. They contract to move their arms and legs and are essential to breathe, swallow and facial movements.
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“My MG trip in the last five years has not been easy,” Seles said in a press release that announced his collaboration with the Argenx Immunology Company.
“I felt isolated and defeated, since many of the activities I enjoyed were no longer physically possible for me.”
The Seles Association with Argenx aims to raise awareness and understanding of MG, and connect those affected with available tools and resources.
Monica Seles has recently talked about her diagnosis of Miasthenia Gravis. (Argenx)
What to know about myasthenia gravis
Miastenia Gravis is classified as an autoimmune disease, according to Dr. Earnest Lee Murray, a neurologist certified by the Board at the General Hospital of the Jackson-Madison County in Jackson, Tennessee.
This means that the body’s defense system itself attacks the connection between nerves and muscles.
“I felt isolated and defeated, since many of the activities I enjoyed were no longer physically possible for me.”
“Miasthenia Gravis is different from other neuromuscular diseases often, the symptoms of patients fluctuate throughout the day,” Murray told News Digital.
The general symptoms range from a very soft double vision and a liard fall to difficulty walking, breathing and swallowing.
“My MG trip in the last five years has not been easy,” Seles said in a press release. (Argenx)
“Some patients who begin with only mild ocular symptoms can progress to more serious symptoms in the first years of their diagnosis,” added the doctor.
However, some patients only experience eye problems.
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Heat, such as summer climate or hot showers, can worsen symptoms, according to experts. As physical effort can also exacerbate symptoms, Murray said patients should accelerate.
Certain health conditions, such as COVID-19, flu infections or urinary tract, can trigger a serious worsening of symptoms, called “myastenic crisis”, which often leads to hospitalization for a closer respiratory monitoring.
The general symptoms range from a very soft double vision and a fall of the eyelids to the difficulty of walking, breathing and swallowing. (Istock)
It is important that patients know their doctors who have Miastenia Gravis before starting a new medicine, Murray said, since some medications, including antibiotics, can worsen the symptoms.
“If there is a question, patients can always consult with their neurologist,” he advised.
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Doctors generally handle Mg in two ways. First, they can prescribe a medicine such as pyridigmine, which can temporarily reduce muscle weakness, according to Mayo Clinic.
They can also prescribe medications that calm the immune system to prevent nerves and muscles.
Certain health conditions, such as COVID-19, flu or urinary tract infections, can trigger a severe worsening of symptoms. (Istock)
In the past, this immune suppression was performed with steroids such as prednisone. Now, there are newer medications that are directed to the disease more directly. These specific treatments can work well and can cause less side effects, according to Murray.
While MG can be serious, the doctor emphasized that it is not the end of the road.
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“Most patients live a fairly normal life, both personal and professionally,” he said. “With close management and a neurologist familiar with MG, treatments can be adapted to optimize the quality of life of patients.”
Any person who experiences an occasional double vision, falling the eyelids or weakness that worsen with fatigue should talk to your doctor about the test, recommends Murray.
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The diagnosis generally implies blood tests, nerve tests and a neurological evaluation.
Symptoms such as breathing, swallowing or maintaining problems require immediate emergency care, Murray said.
News Digital communicated with Monica Seles requesting comments.
Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant with News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a variety of stories issues that include food and drink, travel and health.