Tennis icon Monica Seles has revealed her diagnosis with myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune disease that affects the nerve-muscle connection. The 51-year-old tennis legend, who won nine Grand Slam titles and is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, shares her experience to raise awareness about the condition.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, myasthenia gravis affects approximately 20 out of every 100,000 people worldwide. Seles was diagnosed with the disease three years ago, after noticing symptoms such as double vision and weakness in her arms and legs during play.
Seles’ experiences include missing a ball while playing with family members due to double vision, making everyday activities like blowing out her hair extremely difficult. The Cleveland Clinic explains that myasthenia gravis can affect muscles in the face, neck, and other areas, causing symptoms such as droopy eyelids, blurred vision, limited facial expressions, difficulty speaking, swallowing or chewing, and trouble walking.
The disease is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks itself. The exact cause is unclear, but research suggests that certain immune cells have trouble identifying healthy components of the body.
While there is no cure for myasthenia gravis, treatment options include medications, thymus gland removal surgery, lifestyle changes, and more. In some cases, the disease may go into remission, allowing muscle weakness to disappear completely.
Seles’ decision to share her diagnosis aims to raise awareness about myasthenia gravis, a condition that can significantly impact daily life.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/monica-seles-myasthenia-gravis-diagnosis-tennis