Emily Malcolm, PhD,  —

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare autoimmune disease marked by muscle weakness that starts in the lower limbs. The disease can affect how well the autonomic nervous system — involved in saliva production and bladder and bowel control — works. Although rare, some LEMS patients may have…

Many people enjoy using treatments that enhance beauty, such as Botox. For others, Botox might be used to ease migraines or treat other medical conditions. However, for patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) and myasthenia gravis, Botox treatments can be very dangerous. What are LEMS…

Learning you have a rare disorder like Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) can be frightening. Among the first questions many people have is: How will my lifespan be affected? The answer often isn’t clear-cut. What is life expectancy? Life expectancy is an estimate of how long people will live. That…

Living with a chronic disease like Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) can be very stressful. You may feel like you’ve lost control over your life after being diagnosed. Here are some tips to help reduce stress, and improve your mental and physical health. Get enough sleep It’s easy to…

For people with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), finding out that they also have small cell lung cancer (SCLC) can be frightening. However, chemotherapy and radiation therapy directed toward SCLC have proven beneficial in treating lung cancer as well as alleviating LEMS symptoms. Here are the answers to…

For patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) or myasthenia gravis, getting a diagnosis can be challenging. The symptoms of both autoimmune diseases are similar, so blood tests for specific antibodies may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis. What is myasthenia gravis? Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease in…

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness. The disease is caused by the body’s own antibodies attacking nerve cells and damaging them. Many treatments for LEMS are targeted at reducing inflammation, thereby slowing disease progression. An anti-inflammatory diet may…

Plasmapheresis is a procedure that can be used to treat Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), an autoimmune disease in which antibodies are produced that mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues, leading to the symptoms of the disease. Plasmapheresis, or plasma exchange, involves extracting a patient’s blood,…

Physiotherapy is one of the treatments that may help patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), a rare autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness that starts in the lower limbs. How do I prepare for the first session? Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in. Make sure…

One test that can help diagnose Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) — a rare disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness — is an electromyography test. This test, known as an EMG, measures the electrical energy produced by the nerve cells that control muscle contraction. Here are some frequently asked…