Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome An Autoimmune Disease

Introduction Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, also known as Eaton Lambert syndrome, is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by the onset of severe muscle weakness. The muscle weakness involved with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) typically occurs in the pelvis and thigh muscles. Approximately 60 percent of LEMS cases are associated with a small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and the onset of LEMS symptoms often precedes the detection of the cancer (Gozzard). Patients who have LEMS that also have cancer tend to have a history of smoking and are usually older adults. LEMS occurs often in men with tumors in their chests, especially lung cancer. Individuals without cancer can develop LEMS at any age. However, LEMS is rarely seen in children and this disease is not hereditary. This disease is also more common in men than in women and the progression depends on whether it occurs with cancer. LEMS is named after Edward Lambert and Lee Eaton. These men were neurologists at the Ma yo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and they described Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Approximately 400 people in the United States have LEMS. This disease is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s own healthy tissues. The immune system attacks neuromuscular junctions, which are the areas where a person’s nerves and muscles connects. This then affects the way muscles and nerves communicate and make it difficult to move muscles. LEMSShow MoreRelatedTeam : Based Learning : Case Study On John Stillmann1534 Words   |  7 PagesGravis Foundation of America, the most common form of MG is chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder, which can be seen by loss of strength in the voluntary muscle groups (2015). Much research has been done for Myasthenia Gravis, but there is still a lot of unknown information, such as a cure. In this study, one will learn what Myasthenia Gravis is, how it is tested, possible co mplications, and how it is treated. John’s Disease John shows symptoms as in Myasthenia Gravis (MG) such as diplopia, muscles