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Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (abbreviated MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata) is an inflammatory disease that affects the ability of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to communicate with each other. There is no known cure for MS. In this category you'll find information about MS symptoms, treatment and more.
431 Questions
What does it mean when someone has MS?
MS is an acronym for Multiple Sclerosis, a degenerative disease. It is not communicable, and one person cannot catch MS from another.
Any other names given for multiple sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis is the scientific name. MS causes many scars on the tissues of the nervous system, and so the name Multiple Sclerosis. The word sclerosis is derived from the Greek word skleros, which means hard.
Carisprodol is a muscle relaxant sold under the brand name of Soma.
What are the neurological symptoms of tuberous sclerosis?
TSC can affect many different systems of the body, causing a variety of signs and symptoms. Signs of the disorder vary depending on which system and which organs are involved. The natural course of TSC varies from individual to individual, with symptoms ranging from very mild to quite severe. In addition to the benign tumors that frequently occur in TSC, other common symptoms include seizures, mental retardation, behavior problems, and skin abnormalities. Tumors can grow in nearly any organ, but they most commonly occur in the brain, kidneys, heart, lungs, and skin. Malignant tumors are rare in TSC. Those that do occur primarily affect the kidneys.
Kidney problems such as cysts and angiomyolipomas occur in an estimated 70 to 80 percent of individuals with TSC, usually occurring between ages 15 and 30. Cysts are usually small, appear in limited numbers, and cause no serious problems. Approximately 2 percent of individuals with TSC develop large numbers of cysts in a pattern similar to polycystic kidney disease2 during childhood. In these cases, kidney function is compromised and kidney failure occurs. In rare instances, the cysts may bleed, leading to blood loss and anemia.
Angiomyolipomas-benign growths consisting of fatty tissue and muscle cells-are the most common kidney lesions in TSC. These growths are seen in the majority of TSC patients, but are also found in about one of every 300 people without TSC. Angiomyolipomas caused by TSC are usually found in both kidneys and in most cases they produce no symptoms. However, they can sometimes grow so large that they cause pain or kidney failure. Bleeding from angiomyolipomas may also occur, causing both pain and weakness. If severe bleeding does not stop naturally, there may severe blood loss, resulting in profound anemia and a life-threatening drop in blood pressure, warranting urgent medical attention.
Other rare kidney problems include renal cell carcinoma, developing from an angiomyolipoma, and oncocytomas, benign tumors unique to individuals with TSC.
Three types of brain tumors are associated with TSC: cortical tubers, for which the disease is named, generally form on the surface of the brain, but may also appear in the deep areas of the brain; subependymal nodules, which form in the walls of the ventricles-the fluid-filled cavities of the brain; and giant-cell tumors (astrocytomas), a type of tumor that can grow and block the flow of fluids within the brain, causing a buildup of fluid and pressure and leading to headaches and blurred vision.
Tumors called cardiac rhabdomyomas are often found in the hearts of infants and young children with TSC. If the tumors are large or there are multiple tumors, they can block circulation and cause death. However, if they do not cause problems at birth-when in most cases they are at their largest size-they usually become smaller with time and do not affect the individual in later life.
Benign tumors called phakomas are sometimes found in the eyes of individuals with TSC, appearing as white patches on the retina. Generally they do not cause vision loss or other vision problems, but they can be used to help diagnose the disease.
Additional tumors and cysts may be found in other areas of the body, including the liver, lung, and pancreas. Bone cysts, rectal polyps, gum fibromas, and dental pits may also occur.
A wide variety of skin abnormalities may occur in individuals with TSC. Most cause no problems but are helpful in diagnosis. Some cases may cause disfigurement, necessitating treatment. The most common skin abnormalities include:
- Hypomelanic macules ("ash leaf spots"), which are white or lighter patches of skin that may appear anywhere on the body and are caused by a lack of skin pigment or melanin-the substance that gives skin its color.
- Reddish spots or bumps called facial angiofibromas (also called adenoma sebaceum), which appear on the face (sometimes resembling acne) and consist of blood vessels and fibrous tissue.
- Raised, discolored areas on the forehead called forehead plaques, which are common and unique to TSC and may help doctors diagnose the disorder.
- Areas of thick leathery, pebbly skin called shagreen patches, usually found on the lower back or nape of the neck.
- Small fleshy tumors called ungual or subungual fibromas that grow around and under the toenails or fingernails and may need to be surgically removed if they enlarge or cause bleeding. These usually appear later in life, ages 20 - 50.
- Other skin features that are not unique to individuals with TSC, including molluscum fibrosum or skin tags, which typically occur across the back of the neck and shoulders, café au lait spots or flat brown marks, and poliosis, a tuft or patch of white hair that may appear on the scalp or eyelids.
TSC can cause seizures and varying degrees of mental disability. Seizures of all types may occur, including infantile spasms; tonic-clonic seizures (also known as grand mal seizures); or tonic, akinetic, atypical absence, myoclonic, complex partial, or generalized seizures.
Approximately one-half to two-thirds of individuals with TSC have mental disabilities ranging from mild learning disabilities to severe mental retardation. Behavior problems, including aggression, sudden rage, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, acting out, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and repetitive, destructive, or self-harming behavior, often occur in children with TSC, and can be difficult to manage. Some individuals with TSC may also have a developmental disorder called autism.
What therapy is used to treat multiple sclerosis hepatitis c and some cancers?
Synthetic interferon
synthetic interferon
What famous people have multiple sclerosis?
There are many famous people with MS. See the related link below for a more comprehensive list, but here are a few off the top of my head that you might know:
- Neil Cavuto (anchor on Fox News)
- Teri Garr (actess - "Tootsie", "Young Frankenstein", etc)
- Clive Burr (drummer from Iron Maiden)
- David Lander ("Squiggy" from "Laverne and Shirley")
- Richard Pryor (comedian)
- Richard Cohen (writer - husband of Merideth Viera)
- Montel Williams (TV show host)
- Clay Walker (country singer)
- Steven Mueller (celebrity publicist and author)
- Kelly Sutton (NASCAR driver)
Does multiple sclerosis affect eye?
yes, Multiple Sclerosis can affect vision. In fact, loss of vision, blurred vision, etc is an early symptom.
What is the difference between Charcot-Marie-Tooth and Multiple Sclerosis?
no difference, just the name. Same syndrome / disease
Can multiple sclerosis cause death?
MS for most people is not fatal, and those diagnosed with it typically live normal life spans.
However, particularly amongst those with primary progressive MS, there is a less than 1% chance to die as a direct result of the disease. There have been rare cases where patients have died, for example, from the parts of the brain used to control vital processes such as breathing and swallowing have been affected.
Ultimately, sufferers of MS have a chance of about 10% to die of secondary symptoms that were caused by the disease. For example, liver function being affected by untreated bladder infections or depression.
How is multiple sclerosis spread among people?
MS is not a communicable disease. this is the type of disease that is not yet curable, however, great progress has been made to try and ease the suffering of patients.
What are the nursing considerations for Multiple Sclerosis?
what are the nursing consideration for MS?
What happens to myelin in people who suffer from multiple sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis is caused by an autoimmune response which causes the immune system to attack the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers in the central nervous system (CNS). The immune system will attack and destroy myelin, leaving in its place hard, plaque-like scars (called scleroses) where nerve signal transmission is decreased, causing the symptoms of the disease.
This explains the name "multiple sclerosis," which means "many scars."
How is chemo used to treat MS?
Chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cells. In cancer, the therapy is targeted towards tumor cells, but for patients with MS, chemotherapy focuses on reducing the number of white blood cells. Because MS is an autoimmune disease, it causes the body’s own immune system to go into overdrive. The white blood cells begin to attack the brain in order to combat the disease, but this directly causes the inflammation that leads to the lesions and the symptoms. By taking chemotherapy drugs like mitoxantrone and alemtuzumab, the white blood cells are greatly reduced in an attempt to stop the attack on the brain and reduce symptoms. Using chemotherapy to treat MS is still a new process. Clinical trials have proven successful, although chemotherapy drugs often have high-risk side effects, including cardiovascular failure and leukemia. Because of this, many doctors will not consider chemotherapy as a treatment unless other treatments methods have failed.
Is sclerosis a forming of cancer?
In short, no. A sclerosis is a scar left by an autoimmune mechanism. For example, in MS, the scars left on nerve fibers following autoimmune attacks on them are scleroses, cholesterol-based plaques which remain behind.
Cancer is the uncontrolled overgrowth of abnormal tissue cells. It is not the result of an autoimmune mechanism. In some cases, the causes of cancers is well known, but in many cancers, the cause is unknown. Regeneration of body cells is a normal process which occurs through cell division, cell useful life, and eventually cell death. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells divide too quickly, or when body cells "forget" how to die.
Drugs for pain associated with multiple sclerosis?
for pain i take cesamet For neuropathic pain I take Gabapentin (Neurontin); some people I know take a similar drug called Lyrica. For muscle spasms I use Lorazepam; other people with more serious spasms have Baclofen. ANSWER For Pain, Lyrica... It works SOOO well, but it can tend to be exspensive! marijuana is illegal but, it honeslty does the trick && relieves the pain throught your legs.
Did J.K. Rowling have multiple sclerosis?
No, but her mother, Anne Rowling, succumbed to the disease in 1990; that's why - pre-April 2009 - she supported the Scotland Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Is multiple sclerosis curable?
Myesthenia Gravis can be controlled and may go to Remission for a long time for about 50% of the patients. With medications that increase muscle strength and with subsequent removal of the Thymus (usually abnormal in patients with MG), there is a fairly good prognosis to eliminate symptomps that may lead to remission of the disease. But there is still a percentage of it coming back. So no, there is no Cure but it can be managed.
How many people in the world have died of multiple sclerosis?
All people has a sclerotic process in organism since 20 years old. But the clinical implications are starting after 40 years old. Time of the beginning and expression of disease depends on a way of life, bad habits and correctness of a food.
How often does multiple sclerosis occur?
In society, the risk of developing multiple sclerosis is about 1 in 750. If, however, you have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, etc) who has MS, that risk increases to anywhere between 1 in 100 and 1 in 40.
But it's not all genetic. Take the identical twin example, twins who share the same DNA. If one gets MS, the risk of the other developing it is 1 in 4. If it were all genetic, the risk for the second twin would be 100%. The fact that it is 25% indicates that there are other factors involved, including geography, ethnicity, and that ever-elusive infectious "trigger" which seems to initiate the disease process.
What could be a cause of heaviness in legs?
It could be poor circulation, leading to swelling. If you habitually sit for hours at a time, with your feet touching the floor, start getting up for at least a few minutes' walk around the office. This will increase the blood flow. If you cannot find relief through walking or massage, then check in with your doctor--soon.
What is the chemical that causes multiple sclerosis?
While there are many theories about what causes MS, there is no definitive answer. A thought about the gravity of this situation by an Answers.com participant:
This is not a laughing matter and does not deserve a flippant answer. I have been married to my husband for 30 years and for 3/4ths of that time have been his caregiver. He is now bedridden and needs complete bodily care.
One theory which has received some review recently is called CCSVI (chronic cerebrospinal vascular insufficiency) characterized by inefficient jugular veins in the neck and other major vascular drainage areas in the body causing a build-up of iron and other by-products of cellular metabolism. If there is insufficient drainage, the heavy metals have a chance to wreak havoc on the cells of the lining of the veins and/or neuronal destruction, and possibly triggering an immune response.
What is action taken by the immune system that causes Multiple sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis effects the myeline sheath of the spinal cord
