What is the difference between myasthenic crisis and cholinergic crisis

Cholinergic crisis happens because of toxicity in 2 cholinergic receptors, muscarinic and nicotinic. Muscarinic receptors work in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Nictonic receptors work in the central nervous system and at the neuromuscular junction. They play a role in helping organs in the chest work properly. A cholinergic crisis develops from an excess of a particular kind of medicine or exposure to certain chemical compounds.

When someone with MG develops a cholinergic crisis, it happens because of taking too much of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. This causes toxicity in the muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.

But with proper dosing, most people with MG do not develop this complication. It is extremely rare for someone with MG to have a cholinergic crisis. For example, 1 study found that of 53 people admitted to a hospital for 73 episodes of myasthenic crisis over a year period, none had a cholinergic crisis.

But because both types of crises can lead to trouble breathing, knowing the symptoms of each is important. By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our privacy policy. We never sell or share your email address.

Have you found it difficult to discuss your diagnosis or symptoms with loved ones? All rights reserved. Always consult your doctor about your medical conditions. Use of the site is conditional upon your acceptance of our terms of use. By Editorial Team September 29, Share to Facebook Share to Twitter email print page Bookmark for later comment 0 Reactions 0 reactions.

What are the symptoms of a myasthenic crisis? What causes it? What are the triggers? A few different conditions can trigger a myasthenic crisis, such as: 1,2 Infection Reaction to medicine s Surgery Pregnancy Childbirth. What are the symptoms of a cholinergic crisis? Someone who is having a cholinergic crisis may experience: 8,9 Trouble breathing Blurry vision or water eyes Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea A slower-than-normal heartbeat More saliva than usual A frequent urge to urinate Muscle twitches involving fine muscle fibers Why does it happen?

A cholinergic crisis can happen to someone with or without MG. For example: 8 People who received general anesthesia and high doses of drugs to reverse the effects of nerve-blocking agents Children and adults who were exposed to specific chemicals, such as nerve gases, pesticides, and insecticides People with MG who are taking very high doses of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors When someone with MG develops a cholinergic crisis, it happens because of taking too much of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

Sign up for emails from Myasthenia-Gravis. Comments 2 comments. Article Myasthenia Gravis and Fatigue Reactions 0 reactions. The administration of edrophonium causes aggravation of the symptoms of the cholinergic crisis, but it alleviates the symptoms of myasthenic crisis.

This is the key difference between the two disorders. Overview and Key Difference 2. What is Myasthenic Crisis 3. What is Cholinergic Crisis 4. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of antibodies that block the transmission of impulses across the neuromuscular junction. These antibodies bind to the postsynaptic Ach receptors thus preventing the binding of Ach in the synaptic cleft to those receptors.

Women are five times more affected by this condition than males. There is a significant association with other autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis , SLE , and autoimmune thyroiditis. Concurrent thymic hyperplasia has been observed. There are two medical crises that can occur in a patient having myasthenia gravis as the myasthenic crisis and cholinergic crisis. Urgent intubation is required to prevent fatal consequences following respiratory failure.

Inactivation of acetylcholinesterase enzyme which cleaves Ach in the neuromuscular junction is the reason for this condition most of the time. In myasthenia gravis, there is an increase in the cholinergic activity owing to the lack of inhibition by dopamine.

To counter this, drugs with anticholinesterase activity are prescribed. An overdose or accumulation of these drugs can impair the action of anticholinesterase enzyme thus giving rise to a cholinergic crisis. Diagnosis of a cholinergic crisis is through the administration of edrophonium.