Have you ever thought about blinking? Right now, try not to blink for as long as you can… You blinked, didn’t you? That’s the function of an involuntary muscle. You can’t help it. Your heart beats. You breathe in and out… all involuntary.
So, what about VOLUNTARY muscles? Those are muscles that do what you tell them to do, like when you curl your bicep or climb the stairs—unless you have myasthenia gravis (MG) or other neurological conditions that interfere with the brain’s signals to various muscle groups. Common symptoms of MG include:
- drooping of one or both eyelids
- weakness in the legs and arms
- difficulty breathing
- slurred speech
While there is no cure for MG, there are a number of different treatments that allow patients to improve their health.
A recent art show exhibited the works of MG patients to raise awareness in the United Kingdom. In the United States, various activities and fundraisers take place throughout the year.
If you would like to receive educational materials about myasthenia gravis, contact the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America.
