Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that is very painful for both the patient and care giver. In the disease, there is inflammation and neurodegeneration acting at the same time. There is currently no known primary cause of multiple sclerosis. The disease is however characterized by damaged fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and the spinal cord. Myelin is a mixture of proteins and phospholipids that protects many nerve fibers enabling speed at which impulses are conducted. It is pathologically characterized as the presence of glial scars all over in the central nervous system. The disease was discovered by the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot in 1868 when he examined the brain
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the Central Nervous System, which interferes with the communication between the Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord) and other parts of the body. The immune system attacks the myelin on the nerve fibers; resulting in damaged myelin that forms sclerosis. Overtime, many nerve fibers and myelin sheath will be damaged or even destroyed, resulting in the nerve impulse being interrupted. MS can be mild, moderate, or severe, therefore, it may cause disability as well as death. Interestingly enough, more women are affected than men. Common signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis include: fatigue, difficulties with walking (gait), spasticity, numbness/tingling, weakness, vision problems, pain, vertigo, depression, emotional changes, cognitive changes, bladder/bowel problems, and sexual problems. Less common signs and symptoms include: speech/swallowing problems, seizures, tremor, breathing problems, headache, pruritus, and hearing loss. There a four different types of Multiple Sclerosis: Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS), Primary-progressive MS (PPMS), and Progressive-relapsing MS (PRMS). Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis is the most common type of MS; about 85% of people are diagnosed with this type of Multiple Sclerosis. Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis is characterized by worsening neurologic function attacks throughout the disease. The attacks are also known
Multiple Sclerosis is hard to diagnose; early signs of MS are non-specific and the individual may appear to have another disease (“NMSS,” 2012). It is still unclear how multiple sclerosis is inherited, although the disease does appear to be passed down over family generations. Most people exhibit symptoms for the disease between the ages of 20-40 years old; symptoms can vary depending on the individual and can range anywhere from mild to extremely painful (“NINDS,” 2015). People manage their symptoms in different ways including prescription
In conclusion, multiple sclerosis is a very life altering disease since it progressively affects the entire human body. Millions of people are living day to day lives with MS, even though there is no cure for this disease a person's life expectancy is not changed. Scientists are continuously looking for better treatment options
Multiple Sclerosis is also known as MS and is a disease of the central nervous system. It is a chronic inflammation disease that is immune-mediated and attacks the protective sheath that covers the fibers of the nerve and causes problems of communication between the brain and the remainder of the body. This disease will eventually cause the nerves to deteriorate or become damaged permanently. Multiple Sclerosis has the potential to disable the brain and spinal cord. The cause of this autoimmune disease unknown. The body’s immune system attacks its own tissues.
The exact cause of MS is unknown. However, its pathogenesis is associated with irregular immune responses against CNS antigens, interference of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and trans endothelial migration of activated leukocytes, as well as chemokines and cytokines, from peripheral circulation to the CNS. In active disease, there appears to be ongoing inflammatory as well as neurodegenerative processes within the CNS atmosphere. The triggering event for the first attack of MS remains projected. It is assumed that genetic and environmental factors are involved in the progress of MS. (Borazanci, 2009, p. 2)
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, immune mediated disease of the central nervous system (CNS) (Definition of MS). This disease is estimated to affect more than 400,000 people in the United States alone, and about 2.5 million worldwide. In the United States, about 200 new cases of MS are discovered weekly (Pietrangelo, Anne and Higuera, Valencia) . In a healthy person, an insulation covering called myelin, coats the nerve fibers in the CNS (Article from mom). When one develops MS, the communication between their brain and other parts of his/her body is disrupted as “an abnormal immune-mediated response” attacks the myelin coating that encloses nerve fibers in the CNS. This causes a disturbance in communication between the CNS and
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord, the central nervous system. Scientists believe that the disease is caused by an environmental factor that certain genetics are predisposed to respond to. Symptoms can vary from person to person but the most common are blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, memory problems, paralysis, and blindness. In order to be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a careful history of symptoms is taken, as well as history of birthplace, family, environment, and other illnesses. A variety of tests are run to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. Most of the people who are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis are between the ages of twenty and fifty; yet there are people as young as two and as old as seventy-five who have developed the disease. Although the life expectancy for this disease has increased, Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis one a nervous system disease that affects the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves in the eyes. It causes problems with vision, balance, muscle control, and other basic body functions. The effects are often varying from person to person (“Multiple Sclerosis”, n.d). MS happens when the immune system attacks a fatty material named myelin, that protects the nerves. Without the protection of this outer shell, the nerves become damage. Scientists and doctors studied for centuries what multiple sclerosis is and they were unable to define it for long period time “MS has been conceived from the 14th century through the early 20th century (Butler, 2003). During those periods, the physicians and scientists faced hardship to distinguish between MS and other cognitive diseases. During the 21 century, because of technological advancement and researches, MS studied well and consequently treatment options reflected in a new belief system (Butler, 2003).
Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that damages the myelin covering on the nerves, which interrupts signals from the brain to the body, often making movement and speech difficult. Effects of multiple sclerosis vary from patient to patient. Some deteriorate rapidly, while others may experience the effects of MS much more slowly. The causes of multiple sclerosis are not known for sure. Some doctors have guessed that it comes from environmental factors, while others believe that genetics play an important role. Currently, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis. Doctors can slow down its effects to a point, but once a patient progresses beyond that, there is nothing anyone can do. There is not much known definitely
Multiple Sclerosis is a hot topic in science because professionals still know so little and there is currently no cure, although it was discovered in the early 19th century (NMSS, 2015). There is a huge online community of MS patients sharing their experiences of living with this disease. Often times it can be progressive, painful and disrupt daily activities of life (i.e. getting out of bed, brushing teeth, walking etc). The common age group for those who are diagnosed with MS are 20 to 50, and less common are young adults, teenagers and children (MSF, 2009). Determinants of MS include gender, age, where you live, genetics and ethnicity (NMSS, 2015). More women than men are affected (NMSS, 2015). The National Library of Medicine explains that MS affects the central nervous system where T cells are generated and for an unknown reason attacks myelin sheaths in the axons of the brain. Multiple Sclerosis is an auto immune disease, it is not communicable, and there is not one single test that can easily detect it (MSF, 2009). For these reasons and ambiguity of the disease which cause people suffering everyday, it is thus great importance for
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable immune-mediated disease where the body’s own immune system destroys the myelin sheaths of the affected individuals neurons. MS is a disabling disease because it disrupts the flow of information within the brain and the flow of information between the brain and the body. The cause of MS is unknown but it affects women more than men. Scientists believe the disease is triggered by certain environmental factors to individuals who are genetically predisposed. The antigen present in the myelin and nerve fibers that immune cells target is still unknown. Damaged myelin forms scar tissue (sclerosis). There is no cure for MS but individuals with MS seek treatment to help prevent the degradation of neurons.
Multiple Sclerosis also commonly referred to as MS is considered an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The key to understanding MS is to recognize its relationship to the human immune system. The immune system is an intricate
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is a CNS autoimmune disease configured by demyelination, inflammation, and degeneration of axons. This disease inflict great harms to patients. The most common problem is inability to control musculoskeletal system and decrease in mobility. These consequences could vary from patients to patients. About 10-15% of all MS patients develop primary progressive MS (PPMS). Despite the most common appearance of MS, which is progressive-relapsing MS (PRMS), PPMS affects older adults. Its process has no recovery periods, and gender distribution measurements indicate no differences. Etiology of MS is still unclear but it is believed both environmental and hereditary factors are involved. MS susceptibility in population
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), presenting with unpredictable clinical relapses and remissions . these relapses are the clinical expression of acute inflammatory reaction in the CNS (1) .