Lambert-Eaton syndrome is also known as Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. It is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the neuromuscular junctions. These are the areas where your nerves and muscles connect.

Normally, your nerve cells pass signals along to your muscle cells. These signals help your muscles move. Lambert-Eaton syndrome affects the way your nerves and muscles communicate, making it hard to move your muscles as you normally would.

This condition is often linked with a certain type of cancer called small cell lung cancer. This syndrome may result from your body's efforts to fight the cancer.

In some cases, Lambert-Eaton syndrome develops after another autoimmune disease. Sometimes the cause is not known.

Possible symptoms of Lambert-Eaton syndrome include:

• Weak muscles. Weakness is often relieved for a short time after exercise or exertion.
• Trouble walking, climbing stairs or getting up from a chair.
• Tingling feeling in the hands or feet.
• Eyelid drooping.
• Fatigue.
• Dry mouth or dry eyes.
• Trouble speaking and swallowing.
• Trouble breathing.
• Bladder and bowel changes.
• Erectile dysfunction.
• Decreased sweating.
• Weight loss.

Your doctor will review your symptoms with you and do a physical exam. An antibody blood test may show that you have this condition. You may also have a test called electromyography, which shows how well your muscles are working.

Because Lambert-Eaton syndrome is linked with lung cancer, your doctor may order X-rays or a CT scan of your lungs. Another condition called myasthenia gravis has symptoms that are very similar to Lambert-Eaton syndrome. Your doctor will use the results of the electromyography and other tests to tell which problem you might have.

If your doctor finds that you have this condition, you'll be checked for lung cancer and other cancers, such as lymphoma. If cancer isn't found at first, you may need regular screenings or CT scans for up to five years to watch for an underlying cancer. That's because Lambert-Eaton syndrome may appear as much as three years before a cancer diagnosis.

If you have cancer, your doctor may treat it with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. If you have cancer and respond well to treatment, your Lambert-Eaton syndrome is more likely to get better. Your doctor may also prescribe medicines to suppress your immune system or to help improve the signals between your nerve and muscle cells.

You may also have a treatment called plasmapheresis. This involves replacing the plasma in your blood. This removes harmful immune system proteins from your blood that may be involved in the condition.

Because the exact cause of Lambert-Eaton syndrome isn't fully known, it's not clear how to prevent the disease. The best way to reduce your risk for lung cancer, often related to Lambert-Eaton syndrome, is not to smoke. Other steps that may help lower your risk for lung cancer include:

• Staying away from tobacco smoke.
• Eating more fruits and vegetables.
• Having your home tested for raised levels of radon gas.
• Reduce exposure at the workplace to cancer causing substances, such as asbestos, arsenic, nickel, and chromium.

Symptoms of Lambert-Eaton Syndrome may become worse when you're warm or have a fever. So try not to take hot showers or baths. Contact your doctor if you start developing signs of a cold or the flu. Exercising on a regular basis and getting enough sleep may also help you manage your symptoms.

• Lambert-Eaton syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the connections between nerves and muscles. It's most often seen in people with small cell lung cancer or other cancers, but it can also occur in people without cancer.
• Common symptoms are weak muscles, trouble walking, tingling sensations, fatigue, and dry mouth.
• If you have cancer, finding and treating it is the first priority. That may improve symptoms from this condition. Other treatments include medicines to suppress the immune system or to help make the signals stronger between the nerves and muscles.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your doctor:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your doctor tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your doctor gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are and when they should be reported.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your doctor if you have questions, especially after office hours or on weekends and holidays.