What is myasthenia gravis? (Is the Brilliant Minds condition real?)

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As a seasoned gamer and medical drama enthusiast with a background in health sciences, I can confidently say that Brilliant Minds is quickly becoming one of my favorites. The show’s ability to tackle lesser-known yet real-life medical conditions such as Myasthenia Gravis is both educational and engaging.

In the first season of “Brilliant Minds”, we’ve encountered several novel and distinctive medical issues. The mid-season finale lived up to expectations.

Caution: This post contains MINOR SPOILERS for Brilliant Minds season 1, episode 11

Jacob had a patient in question, whom he aimed to release swiftly owing to a wager with Van. Yet, he found himself growing suspicious as the situation turned peculiar. The patient’s voice seemed to fluctuate inconsistently, and this individual warned that such a change would occur if they spoke too much.

As the gamer’s avatar’s eyelid sagged, I recognized the need to identify this character’s issue. This diagnosis turned out to be myasthenia gravis. Now, just like those unfamiliar game mechanics you might stumble upon, let me assure you, myasthenia gravis is indeed a real-life condition!

Brilliant Minds introduces us to myasthenia gravis

This is a long-term neurological disorder primarily affecting the voluntary muscles responsible for body movements such as breathing, swallowing, facial expressions, and movement of limbs like arms and legs. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains that these muscles include those connected to bones in the face and throat.

The condition is an autoimmune disorder, implying it arises when the immune system mistakenly targets and damages healthy cells or proteins within the body. Sometimes it develops abruptly, while in other cases, it may persist unnoticed for a prolonged period without diagnosis. It’s not always immediately apparent or identified right away.

We saw some of the symptoms of the condition in the episode, which included weakness of the eye muscle and a drooping eyelid. We also saw how the patient fell over and shows the symptoms of weakness in the legs. The biggest one was the change in the voice, as one of the symptoms can be impaired speech.

Additionally, problems might arise not just in the legs, but also in the arms, hands, and fingers. As the condition worsens, it could cause complications such as trouble swallowing and breathing, blurred vision in both eyes, and alterations in facial expressions.

Regarding this condition, it impacts individuals regardless of gender, but it’s more common in women under the age of 40 and men above the age of 60. However, it can also manifest during childhood. Due to its rarity, securing a diagnosis can sometimes be challenging.

If left unattended, it could prove lethal. Certain individuals experience such severe difficulty breathing that they require mechanical ventilation, which we refer to as a myasthenic crisis. Approximately 15-20% of patients will encounter this condition at least once during their lifetime.

Brilliant Minds is available to stream on Peacock.

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2024-12-10 18:23