Description and Possible Medical Problems
It’s natural for your eyes to droop a bit as you get older, but if your lids appear to be normal in the morning but then sag noticeably as the day goes on, you may have myasthenia gravis, a rare neurological disease. You may also have diplopia, or double vision. Myasthenia gravis gradually progresses to the rest of the body if left untreated.
Myasthenia gravis is a rare condition in which the body chemicals that control the neurotransmitters that transmit electrical impulses from the nerves to the muscles, particularly acetylcholine, fail to work properly. In effect, the nerves run out of gas. The cause of myasthenia gravis is not confirmed, but we think it’s due to a defect in the immune system. The disease affects primarily the facial muscles, particularly the eyelids and the muscles that control swallowing and the movement of the vocal cords. In addition to eyelids that progressively droop as the day goes on, a person with myasthenia gravis may find that she also starts to blink incessantly and uncontrollably, which can result in fatigue.
Myasthenia gravis is such a rare disease that there’s a good chance your drooping eyelids are a normal sign of aging. However, if your eyelids continue to droop noticeably over the course of the day, you should see your doctor. Myasthenia gravis is thought to be caused by a reaction by the immune system. It is commonly treated with regular medical checkups to monitor your condition and the avoidance of certain medications such as antibiotics, beta-blockers, and psychotropic drugs, which can make the symptoms of myasthenia gravis worse.
But some medications, such as the decongestant ephedrine hydrochloride, and corticosteroids, are routinely prescribed to treat the disease. These medications can help bolster the immune system and ease the symptoms of myasthenia gravis. They can also prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing the nerves to continue to send messages to one another and the muscles.
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