What type of disease is Myasthenia Gravis?

Myasthenia Gravis is classified as an autoimmune neuromuscular disease. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, which leads to weakness and fatigue in the skeletal muscles. This autoimmune response causes the body's defenses to interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles, impairing their function.

Understanding the nature of Myasthenia Gravis as an autoimmune disorder is crucial because it guides the approach to treatment, which often includes immunosuppressants to manage the immune response and improve muscle strength. This categorization also highlights the importance of the immune system's role in neuromuscular function, differentiating it from other types of diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders that involve progressive damage to the nervous system, infectious diseases caused by pathogens, or metabolic disorders that stem from disturbances in biochemical processes.