multiple sclerosis

Question 1

what is multiple sclerosis?

Answer 1

• immune mediated, progressive demyelinating (destruction of fatty protein that surrounds certain nerve fibres in brain and spinal cords) disease of CNS
  (Porten et al, 2017)

Question 2

how does MS occur?

Answer 2

• misguided T cells cross blood brain barrier into CNS
• T cells release chemicals that rally other immune system forced that attack the myelin coating around nerve cells
• causes inflammation and then destruction
• once myelin and nerve fibres have been damaged, nerve signals are slowed/stopped
• MS leisons form, impairing normal myelin repair processes
  (Porten et al, 2017)

Question 3

what are symptoms of MS?

Answer 3

• numbness
• tingling
• headache
• speech/swallowing problems
• breathing problems
• fatigue
• muscle spams
• bladder and bowel dysfunction
• walking difficulties
  (Porten et al, 2017)

Question 4

what are the four types of MS?

Answer 4

1. Relapsing remitting (RRMS) - episodes of acute exacerbations or relapses with recovery and stable between relapses
2. Secondary progressive (SPMS) - gradual neurologic deterioration and worsening of symptoms with or without relapses in a previous RRMS patient
3. Primary progressive (PPMS) - gradual, nearly continuous neurologic deterioration from onset of symptoms with no remission
4. progressive relapsing (PRMS) - gradual neurologic deterioration from onset of symptoms with subsequent relapses and no remission
   (Porten et al, 2017)

Question 5

how do you diagnose MS?

Answer 5

MRI
(Porten et al, 2017)

Question 6

what are ways MS is managed?

Answer 6

1. provide education and support
2. manage acute relapses
3. modify course of disease using meds, reduce attack frequency and severity, reduce lesions
4. treat symptoms and provide rehab
   (Porten et al, 2017)

Question 7

what are common pharmacological treatments?

Answer 7

• corticosteroids injections
• IV fluids
• immunosuppressants
• immunoglobulins