According to Medical-Surgical Nursing: 7th edition, myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease that can be considered a chronic neuromuscular disease (Lewis et al., 2007, p. 1555 ). MG is caused by an autoimmune process in which “antibodies attack acetylcholine (ACh) receptors, leading to a decrease in the number of ACh receptor (AChR) sites at the neuromuscular junction” ( p.1555). Due to the inability of the neurotransmitter to connect the muscles and nerves, the muscle has difficulty contracting. This disease essentially causes muscle fatigue and therefore a detrition of muscle strength over time. (John Hopkins Medicine, nd) In many ways, it's like a satellite unable to detect a signal when blocked by interfering radio waves. The Yale School of Medicine online article regarding myasthenia gravis states that the term MG was first coined in 1672 by Thomas Willis. Simpson, in 1960, unlocked the mystery of MG when he hypothesized that it was caused by antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (Yale School of Medicine, 2012). This was also proven by scientists Simpson and Nastuck observed in 1959, who demonstrated that it was an autoimmune disease unrelated to genetics (Conti-Fine, Milani, and Kaminski, 2006). Symptoms that occur when a person contracts myasthenia gravis are common. start with the sagging of the eyelids. Clinical Reference Systems (2010) states that as the disease progresses, blurred vision and difficulty maintaining steady gaze begin to appear due to increased weakness of the eye muscles. Facial paralysis is common, as well as difficulty speaking and difficulty breathing, chewing, or swallowing due to weakness of the face and throat. This often leads to gagging, drooling or...... middle of paper ......s/myasthenia_gravis.htmlMyasthenia Gravis. (nd). In John Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved February 20, 2012, from http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/nervous_system_disorde rs/myasthenia_gravis_85,P07785/NINDS Myasthenia Gravis Information Page. (October 17, 2011). At the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Retrieved February 20, 2012 from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myasthenia_gravis/myasthenia_gravis.htmLewis, S., Heitkemper, M., Dirksen, S., O'Brien, P. and Bucher, L. (2007). Medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems. (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Inc. Yale School of Medicine (2011). Myasthenia gravis. Retrieved November 19, 2011, from the Yale School of Medicine website: http://medicine.yale.edu/neurology/divisions/neuromuscular/mg.aspx