The Intensive Care Department at Imam Al-Hujjah Hospital received a man in his 50s suffering from a rare disease. Head of ICU, Dr. Hussein Al-Haj stated: “The patient had a sudden health setback as a result of Myasthenia Gravis, a rare long-term condition that causes muscle weakness. He presented to the hospital with hyperventilation and a decrease in blood oxygen levels.”
The patient was put on a ventilator and kept under continuous monitoring. He received the necessary treatment, repositioning, nutrition, chest physiotherapy, diaphragmatic breathing exercises, thoracentesis, and physiotherapy exercises for the muscles and limbs. Dr. Al-Haj added: “We administered antibiotics and stimulant drugs to the patient, in addition to Aminoglubulin which interacts with antibodies, thus preventing muscle weakness. One week after staying at the ICU, the patient was discharged from the hospital amidst his family’s joy.”
Dr. Khattab Al-Khafaji (neurologist) and Dr. Hussein Al-Haj (intensivist/senior anesthesiologist) supervised the case. It’s worth mentioning that Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disorder that weakens the connection between the nerves and muscles, leading to episodes of muscle weakness. People with this disorder usually suffer from droopy eyelids and double vision. Their muscles become unusually weak and tired after working out or carrying out daily chores because Myasthenia Gravis produces antibodies that inhibit the muscle receptors from stimulating muscles to move.
