multiple sclerosis…

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multiple sclerosis, mri, the brain, nerve supply, pelvis, central nervous system, myelin, nerve structure, ms, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, brain, spinal cord, multiple sclerosis, ms, affects woman more than men, disorder most commonly begins between ages 20, strike at any age, exact cause is not known, but ms is believed to result from damage, myelin sheath, the protective material which surrounds nerve cells, a progressive disease, meaning the damage gets worse over time, inflammation destroys the myelin, leaving multiple areas of scar tissue (sclerosis, inflammation occurs, the body's own immune cells attack the nervous system, inflammation causes, nerve impulses to slow, become blocked, the symptoms of ms, repeated episodes, flare ups, inflammation, occur along any area, the brain, spinal cord, symptoms vary, the location, extent of each attack, usually episodes that last days, weeks, months alternate, times of reduced, no symptoms, remission, recurrence, relapse, common although non-stop progression, periods of remission, researchers, not sure what triggers an attack, patients, ms typically have a higher number of immune cells than a healthy person, which suggests that an immune response might play a role, most common theories point to a virus, genetic defect, of both, also appears to be a genetic link, ms is more likely to occur in northern europe, northern united states, southern australia, new zealand than in other areas, geographic studies indicate there an environmental factor involved, a family history of ms, who live, geographical area, a higher incidence rate, ms have a higher risk, weakness of one, extremities, paralysis of one, extremities, tremor of one, extremities, muscle spasticity, uncontrollable spasm of muscle groups, muscle atrophy, movement, dysfunctional, slowly progressive, beginning, in the legs, numbness, abnormal sensation in any area, tingling, facial pain, extremity pain, loss of vision, affects one eye at a time, double vision, eye discomfort, uncontrollable rapid eye movements, eye symptoms worsen on movement, the eyes, decreased coordination, loss of balance, decreased ability to control small, intricate movements, walking/gait abnormalities, muscle spasms, in the legs, dizziness, vertigo, urinary hesitancy, difficult to begin urinating, strong urge to urinate, urinary urgency, frequent need to urinate, urinary frequency, incontinence, leakage of urine, loss of control over urination, decreased memory, decreased spontaneity, decreased judgment, loss of ability to think abstractly, loss of ability to generalize, depression, decreased attention span, slurred speech, difficulty speaking, understanding speech, fatigue, tired, additional symptoms that associated, constipation, hearing loss, positive babinski's reflex, each attack, last days to months, reduce, disappear, recur periodically, each recurrence, different, new areas, fever, trigger, worsen attacks, hot baths, sun exposure, stress, symptoms of ms, mimic many other neurologic disorders, diagnosis is made by ruling out other conditions, a history of at least two attacks separated by a period of reduced, no symptoms, indicate one pattern of attack/remission seen in ms, relapsing-remitting pattern, observable decreases in any functions, the central nervous system, abnormal reflexes, diagnosis of ms suspected, examination by the health care provider, focal neurologic deficits, localized decreases in function, decreased, abnormal sensation, decreased ability to move a part, speech, vision changes, loss of neurologic functions, type of neurologic deficits, indicates the location, the damage, nerves, eye examination, abnormal pupil responses, in the visual fields, eye movements, nystagmus, rapid eye movements, triggered by movement, the eye, decreased visual acuity, abnormal findings on a fundoscopy, an examination, the internal structures, the eye, tests that indicate, confirm multiple sclerosis, head mri scan that shows scarring, a new lesion, spine mri scan that shows scarring, a new lesion, lumbar puncture, spinal tap, csf oligoclonal banding, csf igg index, no known cure, multiple sclerosis at this time, promising therapies, slow the disease, goal of treatment, control symptoms, maintain a normal quality of life, types of treatment, immune modulators, patients, a relapsing-remitting course, placed on an immune modulating therapy, injection under the skin, muscle once, several times a week, in the form of interferon, avonex, betaseron, another medicine, glatiramer acetate, copaxone, all similar in effectiveness, decision on, use depends on concerns, particular side effects, steroids, steroids, given to decrease the severity of attacks, they occur, shut the immune system down to stop cells from causing inflammation, lioresal, baclofen, tizanidine, zanaflex, a benzodiazepine, reduce muscle spasticity, cholinergic medications to reduce urinary problems, antidepressants, mood, behavior symptoms, amantadine, fatigue, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, support groups, improve the person's outlook, reduce depression, maximize function, improve coping skills, exercise, a planned exercise program early, in the course, the disorder, maintain muscle tone, a healthy lifestyle is encouraged, good general nutrition, adequate rest, relaxation, maintain energy levels, attempts, made to avoid fatigue, stress, temperature extremes, illness to reduce factors, trigger an ms attack, multiple sclerosis resources, outcome is variable, unpredictable, the disorder is chronic, incurable, life expectancy, normal, nearly so, ms continue to walk, function at work, minimal disability, factors felt to best predict a relatively benign course, female gender, young age at onset, less than 30 years, infrequent attacks, a relapsing-remitting pattern, low burden of disease on imaging studies, disability, discomfort, the severity, frequency of attacks, the central nervous system, each attack, commonly, initially a return to normal, near-normal function between attacks, the disorder progresses, progressive loss of function, less improvement between attacks, progressive disability, urinary tract infections, side effects of medications, treat the disorder, develop any symptoms of ms, one who, distinguish multiple sclerosis from other serious disorders stroke, infection, symptoms progressively worsen, call health care provider condition deteriorates, point where home care is no longer possible, hafler da, multiple sclerosis, j clin invest, 2004 mar 15, 113(6), 788-794, goetz, cg, ed, multiple sclerosis, textbook of clinical neurology, saunders, philadelphia, pa, 1060-1076, national multiple sclerosis society, nmss.org/, accessed june 6, 2005.