The human body relies on a system of electrical impulses and nerves known as the Central Nervous System. This system is dependent on an organization of complex neurons, which are specialized cells that is responsible for sending, receiving, and interpreting the information from every part of the body. And surrounding each neuron is a thin layer of tissue known as the myelin sheath, which insulates the neurons and prevents electrical impulses from leaking. Even though, the neurons are shielded, they can still be damaged. The body’s immune system can attack the protective myelin sheath, which is known as the process of demyelination. The loss of the sheaths causes the electrical impulses to pass more slowly and overtime they become damaged and …show more content…
Most patients have experienced various symptoms of all ranges and were ignored or have been thought to be signs of another illness. When MS is suspected, the patient will undergo a physical exam to see if they have spasms or tremors. A doctor will try to locate damage in two different areas of the Central Nervous System that include the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. They will also perform evaluations on a person’s senses that involve coordination, balance, and vision. (NATIONAL MS SOCIETY WEBSITE) A neurological exam will also need to be in effect, one of these exams could be a Spinal Tap, also known as a Lumbar Puncture, which is a procedure that removes the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord and brain. Once the fluid is removed, it can be tested to reveal the quantity of immunoglobulins (antibodies), oligoclonal bands, and the specific proteins that are responsible for the break down of the myelin sheaths. And after testing, if a large amount of these are found, then it is an indication that there is an “abnormal autoimmune response within the brain and spinal cord, which means that the body is attacking itself” (WEBMD SPINAL TAP). But of course, a spinal tap does not positively confirm MS being present, but it does not deny it either, it is procedure to rule out all other possible diagnosis’ and conditions that …show more content…
A majority (85%) of patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis experience Relapse-Remitting; this is where a patient who has been diagnosed experience clearly defined flare ups, which are also known as relapses or attacks. They also have episodes where their neurological functions worsen which is then followed by a period of recovery (remission) and during this time, the patient is free from progression of the disease. Primary-Progressive is fairly rare in that this type of MS affects approximately 10% of patients. In this case, the disease worsens slowly over time and is continuous and they do not experience a period of remission, though their disease may plateau, where the disease does not get worse, but does not get better. And within ten years of a patient’s initial diagnosis, 50% of patients with Relapse-Remitting MS can develop Secondary Progressive MS. Here, they will experience occasional flare ups and minor periods of remissions and plateaus. Finally, Progressive-Remitting is the rarest form of Multiple Sclerosis in that it affects only five percent of patients. With this form of MS, people will experience their disease steadily worsening, they get clear short relapses and the disease continues to progress even in times of rest. (NEUROLOGY.ORG). If patients are not treated,
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease affecting the myelination of the central nervous system, leading to numerous issues regarding muscle strength, coordination, balance, sensation, vision, and even some cognitive defects. Unfortunately, the etiology of MS is not known, however, it is generally thought of and accepted as being an autoimmune disorder inside of the central nervous system (Rietberg, et al. 2004). According to a study (Noonan, et al. 2010) on the prevalence of MS, the disease affects more than 1 million people across the world, and approximately 85% of those that are affected will suffer from unpredictably occurring sessions of exacerbations and remissions. The report (Noonan, et al. 2010) found that the prevalence of MS was much higher in women than in men, and that it was also higher in non-Hispanic whites than in other racial or ethnic groups throughout the 3 regions of the United States that were studied.
Canavan disease is an inherited disorder that causes progressive damage to the nerve cells in the brain. It is in the group of rare genetic disorders called Leukodystrophies. Leukodystrophies are characterized by the degeneration of myelin, which is the fatty covering that insulates nerve fibers. The myelin is necessary for rapid electrical signals between the neurons. I chose this disease because I had never heard of it and it seems to only affect a very small amount of people. Also it isn’t very common so I wanted to learn more about it, which helped when looking for information
The people with MS have to take a lot of Medication, and i mean a lot. So i’m just going to list a few. MS people will have to take a pill called Copaxone and this people will give the person a Myelin Protein. They people will take another pill called Gilenya and this will give them a dose of Flinglimomond. Another pill that they will have to take is called Tecfidor which keeps the inflammation down. The next thingn that they might have to take is Tysabri and that is when they put an IV in your arms about once about every for weeks SO thoes are some pills that they will have to take. The reason they have so many is there is no cure for this disease.
Canavan Disease is a fatal neurological disease where there is significant damage to the nerve cells in the brain. There is a defect in the myelin sheath that causes many problems for the nervous system. The major problem is caused when the enzyme aspartoacyle is not present. This missing enzyme causes a chemical imbalance that causes this defect in the myelin sheath. The myelin in the brain destructs which makes it a spongy tissue. This causes overall muscle weakening and slower movements, leading to severe mental retardation. A recent study has shown that the cells in the brain that are responsible for making myelin sheaths (oligodendrocytes), cannot complete the task. When babies are born they may not show any signs at all until the first few months. This disease is only inherited and categorized under a group of diseases called leukodystrophies. Leukodystrophies gets its name because it means there is a degeneration of myelin, which is a fatty cushioning that shields nerve fibers. This makes the nerve signals very difficult to transmit. People with Canavan Disease life span can range from a couple days, months, or maybe even until their twenties (Genetics Home Reference, n.d.); (Canavan Foundation, n.d.).
With MS, most people experience exacerbations, where symptoms get progressively worse, which are then “followed by periods of reduced or no symptoms,” indicative of remission (PubMed Health 2013). Though for many it is “common for the disease to return (relapse), […for some] the disease may continue to get worse without periods of remission” (PubMed Health 2013). Also, the severity of the disorder can be amplified by exposure to extreme heat in addit...
Just like lupus, Multiple sclerosis is a chronic immune system disease that affects the central nervous system. The cause of this condition is unknown; however, some of the causes are violent trauma to the head or spinal cord, and or an immune system attack, which causes the body to attack the myelin sheaths around the neurons in the ascending and descending pathways and most of all genetic and environmental factors. Rosner (2008) notes that, multiple sclerosis is the common cause ...
According to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. The central nervous system (CNS) comprises of the brain and the spinal cord. CNS is coated and protected by myelin sheath that is made of fatty tissues (Slomski, 2005). The inflammation and damage of the myelin sheath causing it to form a scar (sclerosis). This results in a number of physical and mental symptoms, including weakness, loss of coordination, and loss of speech and vision. The way the disease affect people is always different; some people experience only a single attack and recover quickly, while others condition degenerate over time (Wexler, 2013). Hence, the diagnosis of MS is mostly done by eliminating the symptoms of other diseases. Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects both men and women, but generally, it is more common in women more than men. The disease is most usually diagnosed between ages 20 and 40, however, it can occur at any age. Someone with a family history of the disease is more likely to suffer from it. Although MS is not
... damaged neurons. (Mayo clinic, 2014). This is called neuroplasticity, the ability for the nerves to compensate for damage caused by some outside force. Because of neuroplasticity physical training works to cure some of the paralysis left by the virus and allows us to walk again after the legs or another appendage is deformed or damaged.
Differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is very broad in nature. About hundred conditions can imitate multiple sclerosis, this figure is rather an under-estimate. However, it is impractical and tedious to perform such differential diagnosis routinely to rule out multiple sclerosis. Instead, key features of each patient allow a rational consideration of relevant alternate diagnosis. Potential multiple sclerosis “mimics” can be easily distinguished from other patients as most relapsing onset patients have either optic neuritis or myelitic syndromes.
Primarily, the term MS refers to a chronic disorder that attacks the central nervous system (CNS). It is most common in temperate continents such as Europe and Australia with Asiatic and African continents having a lower risk of the disease (Wiley Online Library, 2013). A search organised by the Multiple Sclerosis Society (2013) has estimated that there are 127,000 people living with MS in the United Kingdom. Further research by Chipps, Clanin, and Campbell (1992, pp. 158-167) shows that MS disorder more likely affects women than men with its symptoms occurring between the ages of 20 and 40 in most cases and is quite uncommon in childhood and old age. The nerve cells known as neurons in the brain constantly transmit and receive signals. They invoke emotions, activities and cognition that constitute the day to day experiences of humans. Under normal circumstances, these signals travel on a protected insulation path known as the myelin sheath. This insulation is vital as it enables signals to reach their target. In Multiple Sclerosis, the myelin sheath gets disintegrated causing the nerve fibre to be damaged leading to a disruption in the abili...
Patients are presented with Multiple Sclerosis in various different forms and experience symptoms to different degrees – mild, moderate or severe. While some patients’ predominately experience emotional or cognitive dysfunction, others may be presented with loss of muscle control, and/or visual, balance and sensation symptoms. Other symptoms include fatigue, bladder and bowel problems.
Physical and occupational therapy may also help. Multiple sclerosis is not a fatal disease. Most people with MS have a normal or near-normal life span and usually die from the same conditions that affect general population (heart disease, cancer). Multiple Sclerosis symptoms can negatively affect the quality of life. Suicide rates among patients with multiple sclerosis are higher than average. The majority of patients with MS do not become severely disabled. Women tend to have a better outlook than men. MS has long been known, yet diagnosis remains difficult due to the complexity of the disease and its wide array of signs and symptoms. Treating MS still relies on symptomatic relief, but therapeutic advances in the form of DMDs have shown promising
With motor neurone disease it attacks the nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting. In the case study the
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complicated chronic deteriorating disease that has an effect on the central nervous system (CNS). This disease causes destruction of the myelin around the nerve fibers. “The exact etiology of Multiple Sclerosis is unknown; however, it is thought to be an immune mediated disease. MS is characterized by CNS inflammation, demyelination, and axonal loss” (Compston & Coles, 2008). Typically, it is described by early relapses and remissions of neurological signs of the CNS. This is known as relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). MS can be identified by a variety of known risk factors. Multiple Sclerosis can be brought on by a mixture of inherited and environmental risk factors such as smoking or an exposure to a virus like Epstein Barr. The inflammatory process has an interesting role on the central nervous system.
Guillain- Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a rare, but very fatal auto- immune disease that specifically focuses on attacking the myelin sheath that surrounds the peripheral nerves in the human body. There are many different severities of this disease, but without treatment it can not only affect the entire nervous system but eventually shut down the rest of the body.