Running head: Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia Gravis is a neurodegenerative disorder that weakens the skeletal muscles. The disorder causes emotional stress on the family members because it is difficult to detect in early stages (Mehta, 2014). The diagnostic process of Myasthenia Gravis is a continuous process which is very expensive for the family members. Close monitoring of a person with Myasthenia Gravis is essential for the individual shows varying elevations of antibodies that may result in excessive weakening of muscles. Paul, Mullins and Gilchrist (2009) argue that, a person with Myasthenia Gravis should control their emotions because too much excitement or stress accelerates the impairment of nerve impulse transmission. Close monitoring of the relationship of Myasthenia Gravis person with family members is essential for the avoidance of the creation of conflict or challenging situations (Paul, Mullins & Gilchrist 2009).
The family members have a role of encouraging the Myasthenia Gravis person since they feel dissatisfied with their personal appearance, and have frustration due to immobility. Financial challenges are likely to occur, especially if the person is a breadwinner for the family. In most situations, a Myasthenia Gravis person quits jobs and relies on the help of the family members. Frequent visitation to the doctor increases the expenses of the family since Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic disorder that requires continuous testing of blood antibodies that have acetylcholine receptors (Paul, Nash, Cohen, Gilchrist & Goldstein, 2001).
Adjustments to make for families with Myasthenia Gravis people
Family members of a Myasthenia Gravis person should try to understand about the disorder, especially with the varying weakness on daily or hourly basis. The family has to change the dietary pattern, recreation methods, and observe the medication according to the doctor’s instructions. Attending of health seminars and conferences on Myasthenia Gravis is helpful toward acceptance of the disorders, and recent methods of its management. Attending counselling sessions should also be a positive adjustment in the management of the disorder. The family should learn about ways of managing with limited finances such as enrolling for insurance benefits and compensation (Paul et al., 2001).
The Myasthenia Gravis person should get guidance on joining a social support group that will give continuous updates on management of the disorder. The family members should create sessions of humor in the daily conversations to eliminate unexpected pleasures and generate emotional harmony to the Myasthenia Gravis person. Paul et al. (2001) suggests that, family members should accept all the medical procedures to be conducted on their Myasthenia Gravis person without creating unnecessary tension to the patient. Keeping the record of the changes is essential in order to monitor the progress of medication. Family members should ask questions to the health consultants toward management of Myasthenia Gravis in order to give the best care to one of their family members (Paul et al., 2001).
Role of communities toward management of Myasthenia Gravis
The community has a role of providing support to the families with Myasthenia Gravis people, especially in a reduction of environmental noise. The medical services within the community should be affordable and easy to access. Speech pathologist, dietician, and swallowing specialist within the community should be ready to provide helpful information on the management of Myasthenia Gravis without racial or financial discrimination (Paul, Mullins & Gilchrist 2009). The community should appreciate the efforts of the families with Myasthenia Gravis people and cooperate with them instead of secluding the families from community affairs. Seminars within the community should help the Myasthenia Gravis people toward realizing their goals and showing them the ability of doing community work. Sharing of the positive outcomes of the disease and recognizing the grief within the families help in coping and adapting with the disorder (Paul et al., 2001).
On the other hand, the community may hinder positive adaptation of the Myasthenia Gravis illness. The community may avoid involving the families with the Myasthenia Gravis people from major community activities and even undermining their efforts. The lack of intervention programs such as seminars within the community is a major hindrance toward management of the illness. Additionally, the community may provide misleading information the families or patient on disease medication and measures. Communities which hinder positive strengths of the disorder, result in loneliness, psychological stress, and development of negative attitudes toward living with the illness (Mehta, 2014).
Community response to coping with Myasthenia Gravis
The community has a role of coping with the psychological process of the people with Myasthenia Gravis. According to Mehta (2014), coping mechanisms help in the restoration of life through emotional strength and efficient realization of the life concepts. The community relates the physical illness, physical stress, and psychological stress with the environmental factors in the management of the illness. The residents of Vadodara City, India developed intervention mechanism of promoting health through philosophical attitude in the management of stress (Mehta, 2014). The intervention mechanism emerges from cultural, religious and family traditions. The choice of the Indian community in Vadodara City is due to the high number of chronic illness present in the region. The community is developing intervention mechanisms of dealing with the crisis that lead in the development of low self-esteem, disability, disruption of social, and depletion of financial resources (Mehta, 2014).
References
Mehta, M. (2014). Coping Resources of Families Suffering From Age Related Illness. International Indexed & Research Journal, 3(53), 1-3.
Paul, R. H., Nash, J. M., Cohen, R. A., Gilchrist, J. M., & Goldstein, J. M. (2001). Quality of life and well‐being of patients with myasthenia gravis. Muscle & nerve, 24(4), 512-516.
Paul, R. H., Mullins, L. L., & Gilchrist, J. M. (2009). The impact of myasthenia gravis on mood, cognitive function, and quality of life. In H. J. Kaminski (Eds.), Myasthenia gravis and related disorders (pp. 279-292). New York, NY: Humana Press.