Multiple Sclerosis

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Multiple Sclerosis

• Jesse Mohoric and Sarah Davis

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Definition

• Chronic, potentially debilitating disease that
  affects brain, optic nerves and spinal cord
• Autoimmune disorder caused by destruction of
  myelin sheath surrounding nerves in the CNS

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More Specifically

• With MS, immune cells attack myelin sheath,
  leaving it inflamed, damaged, or detached
• This causes sclerosed (hardened) patches of scar
  tissue over nerve
• Purpose of myelin sheath is to protect and
  conduct nerve impulses
• When myelin sheath is damaged, it blocks or
  delays conduction of nerve signals

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Possible Causes

• Exact reason is unknown
• Virus triggers reaction against bodys own
  tissues
• Genes, environmental factors, viruses, or a
  combination of these factors
• 5 have sibling with MS
• 15 have relative with MS

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Signs and Symptoms

• Generally occur in episodes that last weeks or
  months
• Numbness, weakness, or paralysis in one or more
  limbs
• Brief pain, tingling or electric shock sensations
• Impaired vision w/pain during movement in one eye
• Tremor, lack of coordination or unsteady gait
• Double vision or rapid, involuntary eye movement
• Fatigue and/or dizziness

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Stages of MS

• Benign mild to moderate Sxs that dont worsen or
  lead to permanent disability
• Relapsing-remitting 1-2 flare-ups every 1-3 yrs
  Sxs may increase w/ each recurrence
• Primary progressive progressive Sxs w/o acute
  attacks or periods of remission
• Secondary progressive slow but continuous
  deterioration
• Progressive relapsing primary progressive MS w/
  addition of sudden episodes of new or worsened Sxs

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Diagnosis

• Difficult to diagnose in initial stages because
  Sxs are variable and could be caused by many
  different disorders
• MRI to observe plaque on CNS
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to measure levels of
  immune proteins
• Conduction tests to see how quickly nerves are
  sending signals

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Treatment

• No known cure
• Wait-and-see approach for mild attacks
• Medications
• Corticosteroids relieve immediate symptoms
• Immunosuppresant drugs to prevent relapses
• Beta interferons fight viral infection and
  regulate immune system
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Bee venom

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Prognosis

• Most people can function for many years after
  diagnosis
• On avg., MS shortens lives of affected women by 6
  yrs. and men by 11 yrs.
• Suicide is significant cause of death

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Prevention

• No way to prevent MS
• To improve quality of life and reduce symptoms
• Good nutrition
• Adequate rest
• Avoidance of stress, heat, and extreme physical
  exertion
• Good bladder hygiene

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Works Cited

• Litin, S.C. (Ed.). (2005). Mayo clinic family
  health book. New York, New York HarperCollins.
• Beers, M.H. (Ed.). (2003). Merck manual of
  medication information. Whitehouse Station, NJ
  Merck Research laboratories.
• Longe, J.L. (Ed.). (2002). The gale encyclopedia
  of medicine. Farmington Hills, MI Gale Group.

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Work Cited for Pictures

• http//www.sfn.org/skins/main/images/brainbriefing
  s/ms_illus.gif
• http//www.multiple-sclerosis101.com/Multiple-Scle
  rosis.jpg
• http//www.unitedspinal.org/publications/msqr/wp-c
  ontent/2645.JPG
• http//d.yimg.com/origin1.lifestyles.yahoo.com/ls/
  he/healthwise/h9991221.jpg
• http//www.hhs.oregonstate.edu/nes/multiple-sclero
  sis/1_web.jpg
• http//www.holy-family.org/images/Services/Multipl
  e_Sclerosis.jpg