Multiple Sclerosis Types, Effects and Diagnosis - 1004 Words

Multiple Sclerosis Jason Garoutte November 18, 1996 English / Mr. Blunt Multiple sclerosis is one of the most misunderstood diseases of this century. Since its discovery, there is still no known causes, no proven treatments, and no known cure, yet it affects possibly five hundred thousand people in the United States alone. People need to learn more about this disease so it can be brought to the attention of the nation. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system. It destroys the fatty myelin sheath that insulates your nerve cells. Without this insulation, nerve communication is disrupted. The body then makes this worse by repairing it, and clogging the area with scar tissue. Signals going from your†¦show more content†¦The Visual Evoked Potential Test, or V.E.P., records the brain wave patterns and reaction time with alternating patterns on a nearby monitor. The Auditory Evoked Potential Test, or A.E.P., uses pulses of sharp clicks to time your reactions. In the final test, the electrodiagnostic, an electric current is passed through certain pressure points, and sensors on the head, chest, and back record just how fast the impulses are transmitting through your body and brain. With the positioning of the sensors, the technician can determine where a slowdown, if any, is occurring. The disease cannot be cured, and treatments are few. There is no common treatment that researchers can agree on. Some swear by diet treatments, which have been found by patients in nonclinical studies to slow or arrest the advancement of Multiple Sclerosis. Usually the diet therapies involve a few months eliminating allergic foods from your diet, and since foods that are slightly allergic are usually your favorite foods, its a very hard treatment to stick to. Others swear by drugs and the like, such as ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), which is the most commonly prescribed treatment, or copolymer I and cyclosporine, whic h have shown promise in laboratory studies. The statistics of Multiple Sclerosis are puzzling at best. For example, the fact that there are many more cases in the northern latitudes than in the southernShow MoreRelatedMultiple Sclerosis And The Central Nervous System1605 Words   |  7 PagesMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative and potentially debilitating disorder that affects the spinal cord and brain, collectively known as the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis evolves gradually throughout time and is considered to be auto-immune, which means the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues that are supposed to be within the body. According to Medscape, symptoms consist of, but are not limited to, sexual problems, ataxia (the inability to control certainRead MoreThe Myelin Sheath And Its Effects On The Human Body1205 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a disease where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath surrounding axons of neurons in the Central Nervous System (CNS). In severe cases, Multiple Sclerosis can break down the nerves themselves. This leads to communication problems within the brain and between the brain and the rest of the body (Mayo Clinic.) The myelin sheath is an insulator- it surrounds and nourishes the axons. Exposing small points called the Nodes of Ranvier. The combinationRead MoreWhat Is Multiple Sclerosis?1341 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Jessica Zelenak American Military Public University Abstract Multiple Sclerosis affects 2.3 million people worldwide. Multiple Sclerosis patients diagnosed are in the age range of twenty to fifty. 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I was thinking to catch myself.† So you go to the medical office and are diagnosed with having multiple sclerosis. What is multiple sclerosis (MS)? What are the risk factors? Can multiple sclerosis be treated or prevented? â€Å"Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which your immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers your nerves† (Mayo Clinic). The immune system is a defensive system that protectsRead MoreA Short Note On The Loss Of Myelin Essay1214 Words   |  5 Pages Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). (3) MS is an inflammatory demyelinating condition. This means it is caused by damage to myelin – a fatty material that insulates nerves, acting much like the covering of an electric wire. Myelin allows a nerve to transmit its impulses rapidly. It is the speed and efficiency with which these impulses are conducted that permits smooth, rapid and coordinated movements toRead MoreMultiple Sclerosis And Its Effects On The Central Nervous System Essay1389 Words   |  6 Pageshe life of someone living with Multiple Sclerosis is often quite different than normal. It consists of never-ending doctors appointments, not feeling well, difficulty doing everyday tasks, and much more. Multiple Sclerosis is the bee sting that one gets while laying out by the pool, the scrape a child gets on his knee, and the throbbing headache the mother has after a long day at work and the horrible cry of her child. The disease is heavy weighing on ones mind, body, and heart; yet, if one possessesRead MoreMult iple Sclerosis : An Automobile Immune Disease1264 Words   |  6 PagesMultiple sclerosis, commonly known as MS, is an auto-immune disease. An auto-immune disease is one in which the body attacks itself. In this particular disease, the central nervous system is being attacked. Specifically, the myelin sheath, or the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, is attacked. The attacks cause scar tissue, which makes it difficult for signals to travel between the brain and body. Eventually, the nerves may deteriorate, which is a processRead MoreInterferon Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis Essay958 Words   |  4 PagesMultiple sclerosis is a progressive disease affecting the central nervous sytem, causing various forms of sensory and motor disturbances. It is a long term condition, in which symptoms can wax and wane. Relapses are common and progression of the disease may result in various complications. Interferon treatment may help slow the prog ression of multiple sclerosis and prolong intervals between relapses. What is Multiple Sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition where the body attacksRead MoreDiagnosis Of Multiple Sclerosis ( Ms ) Essay1300 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS and the most frequent cause of nontraumatic neurological disability in young and middle-aged adults (1). Women are twice as likely to be affected as men, and onset typically occurs between the ages of 20 and 40 years (2). The diagnosis Depend on a detailed history; careful neurological examination; and supportive paraclinical investigations. According to the new McDonald criteria, the diagnosis of MS requires