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Pathophysiology Of Multiple Sclerosis ( Ms )

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Multiple Sclerosis
Pathophysiology:
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive disease of the peripheral nerves. Its onset is in young adulthood and early middle age affecting more than 400,000 Americans. The incidence is greatest between 20 and 40 years of age, and it affects men and women approximately equally. MS is considered and autoimmune disorder, and is characterized as a demyelinating disease because it causes permanent degeneration and destruction of myelin sheath of the white matter of the brain and spinal cord. Areas commonly involved are the optic nerves, cerebrum, and cervical spinal cord. Many clients experience gradual and continuous worsening of their symptoms, whereas Some people live a long time with MS, having the disease in mild forms and not experiencing increased severity of symptoms, a survival of 20 years is not unusual.
Assessment:
• General survey o “An unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis (MS) can range from relatively benign to somewhat disabling to devastating, as communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. Many investigators believe MS to be an autoimmune disease -- one in which the body, through its immune system, launches a defensive attack against its own tissues. In the case of MS, it is the nerve-insulating myelin that comes under assault. Such assaults may be linked to an unknown environmental trigger, perhaps a virus.” (Stroke, n.d.)
• Neuro/LOC
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