Multiple Sclerosis Essay

1668 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Healthy nervous system compared to a multiple sclerosis nervous system

What is Multiple Sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. It is understood as an autoimmune disease, a condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks normal tissues. In Multiple Sclerosis, the patient’s own cells & antibodies attack the fatty myelin sheath that protects and insulates nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord, the two components of the CNS. This ultimately causes damage to the nerve cells and without the insulation the myelin sheath provides, nerve communication is disrupted. Hence, Multiple Sclerosis is characterized by symptoms that reflect central nervous system involvement (Luzzio, 2014). Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis Patients are presented with Multiple Sclerosis in various different forms and experience symptoms to different degrees – mild, moderate or severe. While some patients’ predominately experience emotional or cognitive dysfunction, others may be presented with loss of muscle control, and/or visual, balance and sensation symptoms. Other symptoms include fatigue, bladder and bowel problems. What causes Multiple Sclerosis? The cause of Multiple Sclerosis in unknown. Some scientists believe that genetic factors as well as a person’s environment, play a key role in determining which people are more susceptible to developing the disease. Neuropathological changes and the associated functional correlates in the different subtypes of Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis has been categorized into four different subtypes according to the distinct neuropathological changes accompanying the disease (Antony, DesLauriers, Bhat, Ellestad & Power, 2011). Relapsing-Remitting form of Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) Most patients suffering from Multi... ... middle of paper ... ... resulting impairment to the CNS. The first group of mice exhibited a pattern of CNS inflammation that resembled that of the most common subtype of MS, RRMS, with lesions filled with macrophages, a type of immune defender cell. The second group of mice displayed inflammation deep in the CNS tissues and in the optic nerve with lesions filled with neutrophils, another type of immune cell. Both groups of mice were given antibody drugs similar to drugs being developed against MS in humans. The effects were observed over time and results showed that some of the drugs inhibited disease in the first group of mice but did not inhibit disease in the second group. Thus, as Mark Kroenke (2008), the study’s first author and a Ph.D. student in immunology at U-M stated, "That's our proof that these really are different mechanisms of disease" (Kroenke et al., 2008).

Show More
Related

  • A Comparison of Guillain Barre Syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis Related to Central and Peripheral Nervous Pathologies

    2431 Words  | 5 Pages

    Noonan CW, Williamson DM, Henry JP, Indian R, Lynch SG, Neuberger JS, Schiffer R, Trottier J, Wagner L, Marrie RA. The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in 3 US communities. Prev Chronic Dis. 2010;7(1):A12.

    Read More

  • Pathological Book Review on Multiple Sclerosis

    1518 Words  | 4 Pages

    Multiple sclerosis (MS) is generally thought to be an autoimmune disease that attacks the myelin sheaths, or oligodendrocytes that cover nerve axons in the central nervous system (PubMed Health 2013). This immune response causes inflammation, which triggers immune cells to destroy axons “along any area of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord” (PubMed Health 2013). When the myelin sheath “is damaged, nerve signals slow down or stop” thus hindering the propagation of action potentials and limiting function (PubMed Health 2013).

    Read More

  • Multiple Sclerosis Informative Speech

    750 Words  | 2 Pages

    What is Multiple Sclerosis? Ms is an Autoimmune disorder. When the disorder progresses the nerves will be damaged and so the damaged is caused by inflammation. Another thing is the cells that were protected by a layer will be damaged as well. So when you have the damaged cell this will lead to the brain and the spinal cord. So that is what MS is.

    Read More

  • Lupus Essay

    1345 Words  | 3 Pages

    When someone has lupus they have a different outlook on life. For patients with this disease, even the easiest task can be painful to the body or joints. Lupus is not contagious. “Lupus is a disease of the immune system. The immune system protects the body from inflection”(http://lupus.webmd.com). With lupus, the immune system attacks the tissue in many parts of the body. Lupus affects women more than men(www.womenshealth.gov). There are many different types of lupus, and each symptom affect different parts of the body. With treatment you can obtain and fulfill a healthy lifestyle.

    Read More

  • Paleo Diet for Autoimmune Disorders

    695 Words  | 2 Pages

    Multiple sclerosis - is an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system including the spinal cord and brain.

    Read More

  • Multiple Sclerosis Case Study

    1264 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. The central nervous system (CNS) comprises of the brain and the spinal cord. CNS is coated and protected by myelin sheath that is made of fatty tissues (Slomski, 2005). The inflammation and damage of the myelin sheath causing it to form a scar (sclerosis). This results in a number of physical and mental symptoms, including weakness, loss of coordination, and loss of speech and vision. The way the disease affect people is always different; some people experience only a single attack and recover quickly, while others condition degenerate over time (Wexler, 2013). Hence, the diagnosis of MS is mostly done by eliminating the symptoms of other diseases. Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects both men and women, but generally, it is more common in women more than men. The disease is most usually diagnosed between ages 20 and 40, however, it can occur at any age. Someone with a family history of the disease is more likely to suffer from it. Although MS is not

    Read More

  • Multiple Sclerosis Essay

    1382 Words  | 3 Pages

    Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complicated chronic deteriorating disease that has an effect on the central nervous system (CNS). This disease causes destruction of the myelin around the nerve fibers. “The exact etiology of Multiple Sclerosis is unknown; however, it is thought to be an immune mediated disease. MS is characterized by CNS inflammation, demyelination, and axonal loss” (Compston & Coles, 2008). Typically, it is described by early relapses and remissions of neurological signs of the CNS. This is known as relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). MS can be identified by a variety of known risk factors. Multiple Sclerosis can be brought on by a mixture of inherited and environmental risk factors such as smoking or an exposure to a virus like Epstein Barr. The inflammatory process has an interesting role on the central nervous system.

    Read More

  • Multiple Sclerosis

    2024 Words  | 5 Pages

    Wiley Online Library, 2013. The Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis [online] Available at: <. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0404.1997.tb08143.x/abstract> [Accessed 05 December 2013].

    Read More

  • Multiple Sclerosis Essay

    2347 Words  | 5 Pages

    The etiology of the disease is not yet known. There is a discussion that there is action of one or more exogen factors, which after a long latent period trigger the disease in genetically receptive people. MS is characterized by a geographical and demographical spread, with frequency going up when moving away from the equator and again going down in the polar regions. Approximatly 30/100000 people have the disease globally.

    Read More

  • Dementia Essay

    1654 Words  | 4 Pages

    Dementia is a significant health issue in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012) (AIHW 2012). Whilst Dementia primarily affects older members of the community, it can also affect young people and has a significant influence on overall health and quality of life (AIHW 2012). The type of Dementia is a determinant in the severity and development of symptoms in individuals (Department of Health 2013) (DoH, 2013). The gradual, progressive and irreversible nature of Dementia has a considerable social and physical impact not only on the individual, but also on family and friends.

    Read More

  • Multiple Slerrosis Papers

    1509 Words  | 4 Pages

    Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is one of the humankind’s most mysterious diseases. Multiple sclerosis has the ability to affect nearly 3 million people worldwide. This disease tends to be more common in individuals of northern European descent and women are more than twice as likely to develop multiple sclerosis as men are. Of those 3 million people, most of them are between the ages of 20 and 50 years old. Even though multiple sclerosis is a mystery disease, scientists are working to determine the exact cause and treatment.

    Read More

  • Multiple Sclerosis Essay

    742 Words  | 2 Pages

    Multiple Sclerosis is a nervous system disease that affects the spinal cord and the brain by damaging the myelin sheaths that protects nerve cells. Destroyed myelin prevents messages from communicating and sending properly from the brain, through the spinal cord, to internal body parts. In the United States, more than 350,000 people are diagnosed with this disease. Anyone can get this disease, but it is more common among Caucasian women. MS symptoms begin between the ages 20-40 and are caused by nerve lesions being present in multiple areas of the Central Nervous System, symptoms differ on the lesion’s location.

    Read More

  • DSM-5 Essay

    605 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to Li, O’Brien, Snyder, and Howard (2016), problematic internet use may lead to serious psychosocial dysfunction and has resulted in a proposed diagnostic criterion for the DSM-5 in order to assess the disorder. In the United States, 6% to 11% of internet users are problematic internet users. Researchers, in fact, compare problematic internet use to the assessed criteria for gambling and internet gaming disorder. They have also concluded that college-aged teens and young adults are at most risk due to the availability of internet access around them and the direct relationship between the internet and education. Symptoms include impaired physical health such as obesity or sleep disorders, psychological distress, and behavioral problems. Students may also experience more interpersonal problems and worse school and work performance.

    Read More

  • Schizophrenia Essay

    696 Words  | 2 Pages

    What is Schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is brain disorder that makes it hard to see the difference between reality and imagination, have normal emotional responses, and act normal in social situations. Schizophrenia is relatively young, it has only been around for less than 100 years. It was first discovered by Dr. Emile Kraeplin in 1887. He believed it was a mental illness. A few documents take Schizophrenia’s origins back to Egypt during the Pharaoh’s rule around 1550 B.C. People originally thought schizophrenia was simply madness, and usually associated it with madness, even though it is quite different from madness. Symptoms of this disease include Positive symptoms, which are: hallucinations, or things that someone can see, feel, smell, or hear that do not really exist. Many people hear voices inside their heads, see people that are not there, or smell odors no one else smells. Delusions are another symptom, also known as bizarre beliefs, these may include paranoid delusions also, which are delusions that tell the person that others are trying to hurt them. Thought Disorders are a symptom in which the person thinks unusually or dysfunctionally. Movement disorders may be present in schizophrenic people, they may seem like twitches or small, sharp, and sudden movements. Schizophrenia’s “negative symptoms” are harder to recognize. These include the flat affect, in which the persons face doesn’t move and the voice is droning. The lack of pleasure in life is another once, along with the lack of ability to start and sustain activities, and little speech. These symptoms prevent or block the person from living a normal life because they cause social, physical, and emotional, and mental problems. This may lead to psychosis, insanity, or ...

    Read More

  • The Nervous System and Diseases

    1259 Words  | 3 Pages

    The nervous system plays a major role in co-ordinating and controlling the body’s activities. It is made up of billions of nerve cells. These cells are linked to form a massive communications network. Nerve cells carry messages in the form of electrical impulses. These impulses are carried at high speed around the body to keep it safe and functioning normally. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease which progressively injures the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. Injury to the nerves in multiple sclerosis may be reflected by alterations of virtually any sensory or motor (muscular) function in the body.

    Read More

More about Multiple Sclerosis Essay

Open Document