Multiple SclerosisMultiple SclerosisJesse Mohoric and Sarah DavisJesse Mohoric and Sarah Davis

DefinitionDefinition

Chronic, potentially Chronic, potentially debilitating disease debilitating disease that affects brain, that affects brain, optic nerves and optic nerves and spinal cordspinal cord

Autoimmune disorder Autoimmune disorder caused by destruction caused by destruction of myelin sheath of myelin sheath surrounding nerves in surrounding nerves in the CNSthe CNS

More Specifically…More Specifically…

With MS, immune cells attack myelin With MS, immune cells attack myelin sheath, leaving it inflamed, damaged, or sheath, leaving it inflamed, damaged, or detacheddetached This causes sclerosed (hardened) patches of This causes sclerosed (hardened) patches of

scar tissue over nervescar tissue over nerve Purpose of myelin sheath is to protect and Purpose of myelin sheath is to protect and

conduct nerve impulsesconduct nerve impulses When myelin sheath is damaged, it blocks or When myelin sheath is damaged, it blocks or

delays conduction of nerve signalsdelays conduction of nerve signals

Possible CausesPossible Causes

Exact reason is unknownExact reason is unknown Virus triggers reaction against body’s own Virus triggers reaction against body’s own

tissuestissues Genes, environmental factors, viruses, or Genes, environmental factors, viruses, or

a combination of these factorsa combination of these factors 5% have sibling with MS5% have sibling with MS 15% have relative with MS15% have relative with MS

Signs and SymptomsSigns and Symptoms Generally occur in episodes Generally occur in episodes

that last weeks or monthsthat last weeks or months Numbness, weakness, or Numbness, weakness, or

paralysis in one or more limbsparalysis in one or more limbs Brief pain, tingling or electric Brief pain, tingling or electric

shock sensationsshock sensations Impaired vision w/pain during Impaired vision w/pain during

movement in one eyemovement in one eye Tremor, lack of coordination or Tremor, lack of coordination or

unsteady gaitunsteady gait Double vision or rapid, Double vision or rapid,

involuntary eye movementinvoluntary eye movement Fatigue and/or dizzinessFatigue and/or dizziness

Stages of MSStages of MS BenignBenign: mild to moderate Sxs that don’t worsen : mild to moderate Sxs that don’t worsen

or lead to permanent disabilityor lead to permanent disability Relapsing-remittingRelapsing-remitting: 1-2 flare-ups every 1-3 yrs; : 1-2 flare-ups every 1-3 yrs;

Sxs may increase w/ each recurrenceSxs may increase w/ each recurrence Primary progressivePrimary progressive: progressive Sxs w/o acute : progressive Sxs w/o acute

attacks or periods of remissionattacks or periods of remission Secondary progressiveSecondary progressive: slow but continuous : slow but continuous

deteriorationdeterioration Progressive relapsingProgressive relapsing: primary progressive MS : primary progressive MS

w/ addition of sudden episodes of new or w/ addition of sudden episodes of new or worsened Sxsworsened Sxs

DiagnosisDiagnosis

Difficult to diagnose in initial stages Difficult to diagnose in initial stages because Sxs are variable and could be because Sxs are variable and could be caused by many different disorderscaused by many different disorders

MRI to observe plaque on CNSMRI to observe plaque on CNS Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to measure Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to measure

levels of immune proteinslevels of immune proteins Conduction tests to see how quickly Conduction tests to see how quickly

nerves are sending signalsnerves are sending signals

TreatmentTreatment No known cureNo known cure Wait-and-see approach Wait-and-see approach

for mild attacksfor mild attacks MedicationsMedications

Corticosteroids: relieve Corticosteroids: relieve immediate symptomsimmediate symptoms

Immunosuppresant drugs Immunosuppresant drugs to prevent relapsesto prevent relapses

Beta interferons: fight viral Beta interferons: fight viral infection and regulate infection and regulate immune systemimmune system

Physical and Physical and occupational therapyoccupational therapy

Bee venomBee venom

PrognosisPrognosis

Most people can function for many years Most people can function for many years after diagnosisafter diagnosis

On avg., MS shortens lives of affected On avg., MS shortens lives of affected women by 6 yrs. and men by 11 yrs.women by 6 yrs. and men by 11 yrs.

Suicide is significant cause of deathSuicide is significant cause of death

PreventionPrevention

No way to prevent MSNo way to prevent MS To improve quality of To improve quality of

life and reduce life and reduce symptoms:symptoms: Good nutritionGood nutrition Adequate restAdequate rest Avoidance of stress, Avoidance of stress,

heat, and extreme heat, and extreme physical exertionphysical exertion

Good bladder hygieneGood bladder hygiene

Works CitedWorks Cited

Litin, S.C. (Ed.). (2005). Litin, S.C. (Ed.). (2005). Mayo clinic family Mayo clinic family health bookhealth book. New York, New York: . New York, New York: HarperCollins. HarperCollins.

Beers, M.H. (Ed.). (2003). Beers, M.H. (Ed.). (2003). Merck manual of Merck manual of medication informationmedication information. Whitehouse . Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research laboratories. Station, NJ: Merck Research laboratories.

Longe, J.L. (Ed.). (2002). Longe, J.L. (Ed.). (2002). The gale The gale encyclopedia of medicineencyclopedia of medicine. Farmington . Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. Hills, MI: Gale Group.

Work Cited for PicturesWork Cited for Pictures

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