What type of medication is commonly used to treat Myasthenia Gravis?

Anticholinesterase medications are the primary treatment for Myasthenia Gravis because this condition is characterized by a decrease in the number of available acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction. Anticholinesterase medications, such as pyridostigmine, work by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. This inhibition increases the amount of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thereby improving communication between nerves and muscles, which helps alleviate muscle weakness and fatigue that patients experience.

While corticosteroids and immunosuppressants can also be used in the management of Myasthenia Gravis, particularly in more severe cases or during exacerbations, their primary role is in modulating the immune response rather than directly enhancing neuromuscular transmission. Beta-blockers do not play a therapeutic role in the treatment of Myasthenia Gravis and may even exacerbate symptoms by affecting the sympathetic nervous system's influence on muscle function. Thus, anticholinesterase medications are the cornerstone of symptom management in this autoimmune disorder.