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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffSupplementing your medical care with these approaches may help you make the most of your energy and cope with the symptoms of myasthenia gravis:
- Adjust your eating routine. Try to eat when you have good muscle strength. Take your time chewing your food, and take a break between bites of food. Small meals eaten several times a day may be easier to handle. Also, try eating mainly soft foods and avoid foods that require more chewing, such as raw fruits or vegetables.
- Use safety precautions at home. Install grab bars or railings in places where you may need support, such as next to the bathtub or next to steps. Keep your floors clean, and move any loose rugs out of areas where you may walk. Outside your home, keep paths, sidewalks and driveways cleared of leaves, snow and other potential debris that could cause you to stumble.
- Use electric appliances and power tools. You may lose energy quickly when conducting tasks. Try using an electric toothbrush, electric can openers and other electrical tools to perform tasks when possible.
- Wear an eye patch. Consider wearing an eye patch if you have double vision, as this can help relieve the problem. Try wearing the eye patch while you write, read or watch television. Periodically switch the eye patch to the other eye to help reduce eyestrain.
- Plan. If you have chores, shopping or errands to do, plan the activity to coincide with the time at which you have the most energy. Also, try to reduce extra walking in your house when working on projects, as it may reduce your energy.
References
- Myasthenia gravis fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myasthenia_gravis/detail_myasthenia_gravis.htm. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
- Myasthenia gravis. Office of Women's Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/myasthenia-gravis.cfm. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
- Bird SJ. Clinical manifestations of myasthenia gravis. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
- Allan W. Pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 6, 2013.
- Bird SJ. Diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
- Rubin DI. Neurologic manifestations of hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 6, 2013.
- Rubin DI. Neurologic manifestations of hypothyroidism. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 6, 2013.
- Bird SJ. Treatment of myasthenia gravis. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
- Bodamer OA, et al. Neuromuscular junction disorders in newborns and infants. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 7, 2013.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2013.
- Bird SJ. Chronic immunomodulating therapies for myasthenia gravis. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 7, 2013.
- Bird SJ. Thymectomy for myasthenia gravis. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 5, 2013.
- Limmer KK, et al. Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted thymus reduction. Thoracic Surgery Clinics. 2011;21:69.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Myasthenia gravis: A guide for patients. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2003.
- How can I provide emotional support for a relative who has MG? Myasthenia Gravis Association of America. http://www.myasthenia.org/LivingwithMG/InformationalMaterials.aspx. Accessed Feb. 7, 2013.
- U.S. News best hospitals 2012-2013. U.S. News & World Report. http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings. Accessed Jan. 25, 2013.
- Crum BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 1, 2013.
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