Is exercise for a person with myasthenia gravis a good idea? If so, what exercises should you choose?
What exercises can be used to help treat myasthenia gravis? ~ barbie
Myasthenia gravis is a disorder of the immune system that produces antibodies against receptors involved in nerve-to-muscle communication. As a result, there is a progressive decline in exercise tolerance. Inappropriate use of strength exercises, instead of helping them, may worsen the condition of the sick person. In turn, the lack of any exercise may worsen the patient’s condition by exposing him to complications, such as secondary deterioration of the circulatory and respiratory efficiency, obesity, posture defects, joint contractures. The rehabilitation exercise program for a person with myasthenia gravis should be individually tailored to the needs of the sick person, taking into account the periods of exacerbation of symptoms and the effects of taking medications or other treatments. Progressive muscle weariness may reveal and deepen even minor posture defects, so it seems very important to regularly perform exercises to improve posture and prevent joint contractures. In addition to participation in exercises, the requirements of ergonomics of work and rest should be observed. Myasthenia gravis can lead to respiratory failure. Therefore, it is important to introduce an exercise program to prevent these changes and improve respiratory muscle function, chest mobility, and coughing efficiency. Patients require a speech therapy consultation to assess their chewing and swallowing functions and to introduce, if necessary, exercises and techniques to facilitate food intake.
Another important task of therapeutic exercises in myasthenia gravis is the improvement of locomotor performance, possibly – learning to use aids used in movement, such as canes, crutches, supports or wheelchairs. The method of performing and conducting the exercises must be adapted to the age and current level of the patient’s efficiency and take into account the concomitant disease states. Competitive exercise should be avoided. In children with myasthenia gravis, regular exercise is usually conducted by family members who have previously been trained by an experienced physiotherapist in the techniques of exercising and the basic elements of assessing changes in the child’s performance, especially in detecting symptoms of peripheral muscle fatigue and early respiratory failure.
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