Myasthenia gravis

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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

Supplementing 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 eating and rest between bites. More frequent, smaller meals may be easier to handle. Also, try soft foods and avoid sticky foods that require lots of chewing.
  • Use safety precautions at home. Install grab bars or railings in places where you may need support, such as next to the bathtub. Keep the floors and halls in your house clear of clutter, cords and loose rugs. Outside your home, keep the steps, sidewalk and path to your car clear.
  • Use electric appliances and power tools. Save your energy in the bathroom, in the kitchen or at the workbench by using electric appliances, such as toothbrushes, can openers and screwdrivers.
  • Wear an eye patch. If you have double vision, using an eye patch can help relieve this problem. Wear the patch while you read or watch television. To avoid eyestrain, periodically switch the patch from one eye to the other.
  • Plan. If you have a chore to do around the house, shopping to do or an errand to run, plan the activity to coincide with the time at which your medication provides your peak energy level. If you're working on a project at home, gather everything you need for the job at one time, to eliminate extra trips that may drain your energy.
  • Ask for help. Depending on your energy level, you may not be able to do everything you have planned around the house or run every errand that you need to. Ask family members and friends to lend a hand.

DS00375

Sept. 23, 2008

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