Effects Of Multiple Sclerosis

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Multiple Sclerosis
The central nervous system, being made up of the brain and spinal cord, is crucial for communication throughout the body. In a properly functioning central nervous system, there are neurons that assist in this communication be perceiving and sensing information, then sharing it with the brain, allowing the body to make normal functioning movements. Neurons are made up of axons (nerve fibers), dendrites, and a cell body. The dendrites receive information and the axons then send the information back to the brain or spinal cord by what is called nerve impulses (Butler, Lewis, Shier, 2013, p. 363). The axons are coated with myelin, which is made up of proteins and lipids that protect the axons or nerve fibers. (Butler et al, …show more content…

It is thought to be a disease of the immune system, where it actually attacks the body’s central nervous system, although the exact substance within the immune system that causes this condition has yet to be determined (National Multiple Sclerosis Society, n.d.). The myelin that surrounds the nerve fibers is destroyed, leaving them with no protection. Without the myelin, the cell has no way to communicate to other parts of the body, such as other cells and most importantly, lack of communication with the brain. There are different types of Multiple Sclerosis. The most common type, relapsing- remitting MS, is where the person could experience unpredictable attacks or relapses that could bring about new symptoms or cause existing ones to become more severe (Types of MS, 2015). With this type, the relapse duration varies, but there is usually a recovery period, in which the disease could be inactive for a length of time (Types of MS, 2015). The next type is referred to as primary progressive, where the symptoms steadily become worse, but there could be points of remission throughout. (Types of MS, 2015). The last main type is primary relapsing MS, where the symptoms steadily become worse with no remission period (Types of MS, 2015). The way in which the disease carries out is different from person to person, as well as the …show more content…

Aquatic physical therapy is the use of water to carry out exercises, treatments, rehabilitation, and much more (Aquatic Physical Therapy Section, 2015). This can be a way for the person with MS to participate in treatments and exercises without having the weight of the body restricting them or causing pain. The water is also a supportive mechanism, especially for those people who have lost the ability to walk, providing a way for them to engage in activities they would not normally be able to do (Aquatic Physical Therapy Section,

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