Latest news with #MyastheniaGravis
Fox News
4 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Tennis champion Monica Seles reveals incurable disease as doctor shares what to know
Tennis champion Monica Seles is speaking publicly for the first time about her battle with a rare, incurable muscle-weakening disease. Myasthenia 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 the ones that connect to the bones, face, throat and diaphragm. They contract to move the arms and legs and are essential for breathing, swallowing and facial movements. "My MG journey over the past five years has not been an easy one," Seles said in a press release announcing her collaboration with the immunology company argenx. "I felt isolated and defeated, as many of the activities I enjoyed were no longer physically possible for me." Seles' partnership with argenx aims to raise awareness and understanding of MG, and to connect those affected with available tools and resources. Myasthenia gravis is classified as an autoimmune disease, according to Dr. Earnest Lee Murray, a board-certified neurologist at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee. This means the body's own defense system attacks the connection between the nerves and muscles. "I felt isolated and defeated, as many of the activities I enjoyed were no longer physically possible for me." "Myasthenia gravis is different from other neuromuscular diseases in that oftentimes, patients' symptoms fluctuate throughout the day," Murray told Fox News Digital. Overall symptoms range from very mild double vision and droopiness of the eyelids to difficulty walking, breathing and swallowing. "Some patients who start with only mild eye symptoms can progress to more severe symptoms in the first few years of their diagnosis," the doctor added. However, some patients only experience eye issues. Heat, such as from summer weather or hot showers, can make symptoms worse, according to experts. As physical exertion can also exacerbate symptoms, Murray noted that patients must pace themselves. Certain health conditions — like COVID-19, the flu or urinary tract infections — can trigger a serious worsening of symptoms, called a "myasthenic crisis," which often leads to hospitalization for closer respiratory monitoring. It's important for patients to let their physicians know they have myasthenia gravis before starting a new medication, Murray said, as some drugs, including antibiotics, can worsen symptoms. "If there is a question, patients can always check with their neurologist," he advised. Doctors typically manage MG in two ways. First, they may prescribe a medication like pyridostigmine, which can temporarily reduce muscle weakness, according to Mayo Clinic. They may also prescribe medications that calm the immune system to stop it from attacking the nerves and muscles. In the past, this immune suppression was done with steroids like prednisone. Now, there are newer medicines that target the disease more directly. These targeted treatments can work well and may cause fewer side effects, according to Murray. While MG can be serious, the doctor stressed that it's not the end of the road. "Most patients live a fairly normal life, both personally and professionally," he said. "With close management and a neurologist familiar with MG, treatments can be tailored to optimize patients' quality of life." For more Health articles, visit Anyone who experiences occasional double vision, eyelid drooping or weakness that gets worse with fatigue should talk to their doctor about getting tested, Murray recommends. Diagnosis usually involves blood tests, nerve tests and a neurological evaluation. Symptoms like trouble breathing, swallowing or holding the head up require immediate emergency care, Murray said.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Tennis Hall of Famer Monica Seles Opens Up About Myasthenia Gravis Diagnosis: 'It's a Difficult One'
The nine-time major tennis champion is raising awareness about the neuromuscular disease ahead of this month's U.S. OpenNEED TO KNOW Tennis Hall of Famer Monica Seles is opening up about her Myasthenia Gravis diagnosis Seles, a nine-time major tennis champion, said adjusting to life with the disease has been "difficult" Seles is partnering with a Dutch immunology company to raise awareness about the neuromuscular diseaseMonica Seles is opening up about a neuromuscular disease diagnosis that has impacted her daily life 'quite a lot' in recent years. The International Tennis Hall of Famer, 51, revealed to the Associated Press that she was diagnosed three years ago with myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular autoimmune disease that causes a person's muscles to feel weak and quickly grow tired. In addition to muscle weakness, according to the Mayo Clinic, myasthenia gravis can cause a person to have double vision and drooping eyelids. It can also cause problems speaking, breathing, swallowing and chewing. There is no cure for the disease. The retired Serbian-American women's tennis star told the AP she began noticing symptoms of the disease while playing tennis with her family and began seeing multiple balls coming toward her. 'I would be playing with some kids or family members, and I would miss a ball. I was like, 'Yeah, I see two balls.' These are obviously symptoms that you can't ignore,' Seles said. 'And, for me, this is when this journey started. And it took me quite some time to really absorb it, speak openly about it, because it's a difficult one," she continued. "It affects my day-to-day life quite a lot." Seles told the outlet that routine daily tasks like doing her hair 'became very difficult' to manage. The nine-time grand slam tennis champion told the AP she had never heard of the disease before she was diagnosed, inspiring her to speak up about it now ahead of the U.S. Open, which begins next week. 'When I got diagnosed, I was like, 'What?!'' Seles recalled. 'So this is where — I can't emphasize enough — I wish I had somebody like me speak up about it.' Seles is partnering with a Dutch immunology company as a primary spokesperson for its 'Go for Greater' campaign to help those living with myasthenia gravis find resources to help them manage their life with the disease. The tennis great told the AP that her diagnosis has led her to go through yet another 'hard reset' in her life, equating the experience to some of her biggest career hurdles. Seles won eight grand slam titles as a teenager and was widely regarded to be on her way to becoming one of the most accomplished tennis stars in history when she was stabbed by a fan on the court during a match in 1993, after which she stepped away from tennis for two years. She returned to tennis in 1995 and won one more major championship, her ninth overall, before retiring for good in 2003. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'I call my first hard reset when I came to the U.S. as a young 13-year-old [from Yugoslavia]. Didn't speak the language [and] left my family,' Seles told the AP. She added, 'It's a very tough time. Then, obviously, becoming a great player, it's a reset, too, because the fame, money, the attention, changes [everything], and it's hard as a 16-year-old to deal with all that. Then obviously my stabbing — I had to do a huge reset.''And then, really, being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis: another reset," she said. "But one thing, as I tell kids that I mentor: 'You've got to always adjust. That ball is bouncing, and you've just got to adjust.' And that's what I'm doing now.' Read the original article on People
News18
6 days ago
- Health
- News18
Which Disease Does Tennis Legend Monica Seles Have? Symptoms And Impact Explained
The symptoms develop gradually, starting with double vision or drooping eyelids, followed by trouble speaking, eating, swallowing, and limb weakness causing fatigue Former tennis star Monica Seles, a celebrated figure in the sport, has opened up for the first time about her battle with a rare autoimmune disease. The 9-time Grand Slam champion and International Tennis Hall of Fame member revealed she is suffering from myasthenia gravis, a condition that weakens the body's muscles. Diagnosed three years ago, Seles was initially shocked by the unfamiliarity of the disease when doctors informed her of it. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Seles shared that her initial symptoms included double vision and weakness in her hands and feet. These issues sometimes caused her to miss the ball while playing tennis with family and children, as she would see two balls due to the disease. This condition significantly impacted her daily life, making routine tasks increasingly difficult. Seles reflected on her experience, drawing a parallel to her tennis career, stating that life, like tennis, presents different challenges and we must learn to adjust. She encouraged others not to give up in the face of difficulties but to view them as opportunities to reset and approach life anew. What Is Myasthenia Gravis? According to a report by Cleveland Clinic, Myasthenia gravis is a rare autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks its own muscles, causing signals between muscles and nerves to misfire. This results in muscle weakness and rapid fatigue, particularly in muscles controlled voluntarily, such as those in the eyelids, hands, feet, throat, and those used for breathing. What Are The Symptoms? The symptoms of myasthenia gravis typically develop gradually, starting with double vision or drooping eyelids. Additional symptoms include difficulty speaking, eating, or swallowing, and muscle weakness in the limbs, leading to faster fatigue. Breathing difficulties can become a serious concern. These symptoms may temporarily improve with rest but tend to return. Causes And Treatment The disease occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks muscle receptors that transmit nerve signals, leading to muscle weakening. In some cases, it may be linked to abnormal growth of the thymus gland or thymus tumours. The exact cause of myasthenia gravis remains unclear, and it can affect individuals of any age. While there is no cure, its symptoms can be managed with medication. Adopting the right lifestyle can make living with myasthenia gravis more manageable. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
9- time Grand Slam champion Monica Seles reveals battling Myasthenia Gravis: ‘It took me quite some time to really absorb it'
Monica Seles is one of the most popular names in the world of sports. The legendary tennis star emerged as a force to reckon with thanks to her unparalleled skills. The nine-time Grand Slam champion is now in the limelight for a shocking reason. She recently revealed that she was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis - a neuromuscular autoimmune disease - three years ago. Monica Seles opens up about dealing with Myasthenia Gravis Monica Seles, a celebrated name in the world of tennis, has gone public about her battle with Myasthenia Gravis. In an interaction with the Associated Press, the 51-year-old revealed that she first noticed symptoms of this condition in 2020, nearly five years ago, while playing tennis with friends and family. 'I would be playing [tennis] with some kids or family members. I was like, 'Yeah, I see two balls.' These are obviously symptoms that you can't ignore,' she said. Seles added that it took her a while to 'absorb' what had happened as the condition affected her day-to-day life. "It took me quite some time to really absorb it, speak openly about it, because it's a difficult one. It affects my day-to-day life quite a lot,' added Seles. She decided to open up about the disease, which currently has no cure, in order to spread awareness about it. Her revelation comes ahead of the US Open, slated to begin on August 18. Seles was an icon in the world of tennis. By the time she turned 19, the American sensation had already won eight major titles. Her journey started with a win at the 1990 French Open at just 16. Her career was tragically disrupted in 1993 when a fan stabbed her during a match in Hamburg. This forced her to take a break from the sport. She eventually returned but managed to claim only one more major title during the second leg of her professional journey. Seles called time on her career in 2003. She had 53 tournament wins. She was also ranked No. 1 for 178 weeks. About Myasthenia Gravis Myasthenia Gravis is a long-term autoimmune condition that affects the coordination between nerves and muscles, leading to weakness. It can affect the eyes, face, throat, and limbs. There's no cure for it but timely treatment can help control symptoms and enhance quality of life. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Tennis champion Monica Seles says she has muscle weakness disorder: Why you need to know signs and symptoms early
Tennis champion Monica Seles, 51, who began her career at 16 and played her last match in 2003, has revealed she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis three years ago and is now living with the condition. She said she first experienced symptoms of the neuromuscular autoimmune disease while swinging a racket. 'I would be playing with some kids or family members, and I would miss a ball. I was like, 'Yeah, I see two balls.' These are obviously symptoms that you can't ignore… It took me quite some time to really absorb it, speak openly about it, because it's a difficult one. It affects my day-to-day life quite a lot,' said Seles, who decided to go public with her condition to raise awareness. Back home, actor Amitabh Bachchan has been dealing with the condition, too, for a long time. 'This disorder most commonly impacts young adult women (under 40) and older men (over 60) but can occur at any age, including childhood. Seles reported double vision and weakness in her arms — the most common symptoms,' says Dr Raju Vaishya, senior consultant, orthopaedic and joint replacement surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. What is Myasthenia Gravis? Myasthenia Gravis is a rare, chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the way nerves communicate with muscles. In a healthy body, nerve impulses trigger muscles to contract through the release of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine. In this disorder, the immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that block or destroy the receptors for acetylcholine at the muscle–nerve junction. So, muscle fibres cannot contract effectively, leading to muscle weakness. What are signs and symptoms? Usually, it is muscle weakness that gets worse with continued activity and improves with rest. Symptoms can vary depending on which muscles are affected, and they may develop gradually or appear suddenly. · Eye-related symptoms: Double vision and drooping eyelids are often among the first signs. · Facial and throat weakness: Difficulty speaking, swallowing and chewing for extended periods. · Limb and neck weakness: Trouble holding up the head, lifting objects or climbing stairs. · Breathing difficulties: In severe cases, respiratory muscles may be affected, leading to a medical emergency known as a myasthenic crisis. Who is most likely to develop this condition? Anybody, even an athlete, can get it. This condition can occur at any age, but it most commonly affects women under 40 and men over 60. It is not contagious or inherited in a simple pattern, though genetic and environmental factors may influence its development. How is it diagnosed? Diagnosis often involves a combination of clinical evaluation, antibody blood tests, electromyography (EMG) to measure muscle response, and imaging tests to check for associated conditions such as thymus gland abnormalities. Can it be treated? Although there is currently no cure, Myasthenia Gravis can be managed effectively. There are medications that improve nerve-to-muscle communication and immunosuppressive drugs to reduce the autoimmune response. In extreme cases, plasmapheresis, which removes toxins and antibodies from a patient's blood plasma and reinfuses the treated plasma, is required. Sometimes surgery to remove the thymus gland is required if it is enlarged or abnormal. How to live with this disorder? With appropriate treatment, many people can lead active, fulfilling lives. Early diagnosis, ongoing medical care and lifestyle adjustments — such as balancing activity with rest—can greatly improve quality of life and reduce the risk of complications. Exercise is still important with a guided approach.
