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Multiple Sclerosis Introduction |
Multiple sclerosis
(MS) is a debilitating disease of
the central nervous system. It
involves progressive destruction of
the nerve fibers, targeting the
myelin sheaths of the brain and
spinal cord. Once this layer is
destroyed, the signal cannot be
passed along the nerve and a
given function is then compromised. Multiple
sclerosis causes a wide range of
neurological symptoms, paralleled
with remissions and exacerbations.
The cause of
multiple sclerosis is not
fully understood. Suspected
causality is multifactorial, with an
autoimmune abnormality being most
prevalent. Other suspected
etiologies include viral infection,
dietary causes, and oxidative damage
to lipids in the cell membrane. [1]
Multiple sclerosis
affects women slightly more than
men. The average age of occurrence
is between 20 and 40 years. Incidence is
linked to the geographical area a
person inhabits the first 15 years
of their life; being more prevalent
in temperate climates (those of higher
latitudes) than the tropics. [2]
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Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
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Multiple sclerosis
can present with single or multiple
signs and symptoms of CNS damage. The symptoms may come and go
throughout the individual's
lifetime. The course of
Multiple Sclerosis can be varied. In
some, it can remain in remission for
life, while in others, slowly
progresses
with exacerbations. Still, in
a unique few, MS will progress
quickly, and lead to
a complete loss of physiological functioning. The
main areas impacted by Multiple
Sclerosis are the motor, visual,
sensory, cognitive, vestibular, and
genitourinary systems. [3]
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Motor symptoms are
the most frequent first presenting
signs. The patient may complain of
weakness in a limb, feeling of
heaviness, leg or foot drop,
stiffness, loss of grip or tendency
to drop things, and clumsiness. [4] Deep tendon reflexes will be
increased, especially of the knee
and ankle. T remor will be present,
the gait may be abnormal. Paralysis
may also occur in more severe
cases, or late in the course of the
disease. [5]
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Visual disturbances
are the second most common
presenting sign or symptom. Patients
may notice blurred vision, foggy
vision, and double vision, pain in
the eye, or even blindness. [6] Patients can
also present with nystagmus,
inflammation of the optic nerve, or
papilledema. [7]
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Sensory deficits that
can occur include a numbness and
tingling in the arms and legs. Patients may complain of a ‘dead
limb' feeling, muscle tightness, or a
sensation as if a band is tied
around a body part. They may also
sense electrical shocks in different
areas.
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Multiple Sclerosis can also
affect the vestibular system,
causing light-headedness, vertigo,
and nausea and vomiting. Incontinence,
loss of bladder sensation, and loss
of sexual function, can also be presenting
symptoms when the genitourinary
system is affected. [8]
Aside from all the
physical symptoms, the mental plain
of the individual is also affected. Patients may develop apathy, lack of
judgment, and poor decision making. They
may become emotionally irrational,
laughing or crying for inappropriate
reasons. Many suffering from
Multiple Sclerosis may also suffer depressive
episodes/depression. [9]
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Multiple Sclerosis Statistics |
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Currently it is
estimated that 350,000 - 500,000
people in the US have multiple
sclerosis.
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There are approximately
8,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
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20% of the cases will be benign, 30%
intermittent, 40% slow progressive,
and 10-20% steady progressive.
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40%
of patients will have no disruption
in their activities of daily living.
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The average lifespan of a person
with Multiple Sclerosis is 75% that
of a person without Multiple
Sclerosis.
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75% of sufferers will never need a wheelchair.
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Multiple Sclerosis rarely
causes death. [10]
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Learn More About
Multiple Sclerosis |
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