What Does mg Stand For?

mg could stand for any of the following
mg could stand for any of the following

In medicine, mg could stand for any of the following:

  • mg (in lowercase) is the abbreviation for milligram.
  • MG (in uppercase) is the abbreviation for the disease Myasthenia gravis. 
  • Mg (Uppercase “M” and lowercase “g”) is the abbreviation of magnesium.

Milligram (mg)

It is a unit of measurement of mass in the metric system that is equal to a thousandth of a gram. A gram is equal to the mass of 1 milliliter, which is one-thousandth of a liter of water at 39.2° F. For example, 1000 mg = 1 g.

Myasthenia gravis (MG)

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by the weakness of the muscles. It mostly affects the muscles of the face.

The cause is often a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles. Myasthenia gravis is a chronic condition without a cure. Several treatment options are available that can help relieve signs and symptoms. The disease can occur at any age. However, it's more common in women aged younger than 40 years and men aged older than 60 years.

Signs and symptoms of myasthenia gravis:

The signs and symptoms of myasthenia gravis tend to progress. They reach their worst a few years after the onset of the disease. Muscle weakness caused by myasthenia gravis worsens because the affected muscles get used. For example, the person experiences gradual weakening of face muscles while chewing meat.

Symptoms usually improve with rest. Commonly affected muscles and their associated symptoms include:

  • Eye muscles: In more than half the cases, the eye muscles are one of the first to be affected. Patients present with drooping of one or both eyelids (ptosis) and double vision (diplopia).
  • Muscles of the face and throat: Patients present with speech problems, difficulty chewing and swallowing, and changing facial expressions. For example, your smile might look like a snarl.
  • Muscles of the neck and limbs: There is a weakness in the muscles of the neck, arms, and legs. This can cause difficulty holding up the neck, walking, and using arms for various activities.

Magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral found in the body. It is involved in over 600 cellular reactions. Magnesium is essential for making DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and several important body functions, such as helping the heart muscles contract and pump blood. Low magnesium levels can affect health. It can cause weakness, depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Most people do not meet the recommended daily intake of magnesium. The recommended daily intake (RDI) is 400-420 mg for men and 310-320 mg for women. Cooked black beans, boiled beet greens, almonds, cashews, tofu, salmon, flaxseeds, avocado, pumpkin seeds, boiled spinach, and dark chocolate contain magnesium. One may also consider taking magnesium supplements (combined with other vitamins and minerals) if they are unable to meet the RDI through their diet.

Some important functions of magnesium include:

  • Maintains healthy brain function: Magnesium helps relay signals between the brain and body.
  • Maintains a healthy heartbeat: Magnesium is essential to generate heart contractions, helping maintain a healthy heartbeat.
  • Maintains bottom of the form
  • Regulates of muscle contractions: Magnesium helps regulate muscle contractions.

Health benefits of magnesium:

  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Reduces the risk of heart disease
  • Improves blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes
  • Improves sleep quality
  • Helps to control migraines
  • Reduces the symptoms of depression or prevent depression

QUESTION

What percentage of the human body is water? See Answer
References
National Institutes of Health. Magnesium. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-Consumer/

Medline Plus. Magnesium in Diet. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002423.htm