1 / 18

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis. Brett Glover Paramedic ’08 5/26/08. What is MS?. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the CNS. MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease. T- cells attack myelin that protects nerve fibers. T-cells also secrete chemicals that damage nerve fibers

ethan-boyer
Download Presentation

Multiple Sclerosis

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Multiple Sclerosis Brett Glover Paramedic ’08 5/26/08

  2. What is MS? • MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the CNS. • MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease. • T- cells attack myelin that protects nerve fibers. • T-cells also secrete chemicals that damage nerve fibers • Damaged myelin forms scars. • Damaged myelin sheath or nerve fibers cause nerve impulses to be interrupted or distorted.

  3. Four types of MS • Relapsing-Remitting MS • Primary-Progressive MS • Secondary-Progressive MS • Progressive-Relapsing MS

  4. Relapsing-Remitting MS • ~ 85% of people who have MS are initially diagnosed with R-R MS. • Clearly defined attacks or worsening neurologic function (relapses) followed by periods of remission.

  5. Primary-Progressive MS • ~ 10% of people with MS are diagnosed with P-R MS. • Characterized by slowly worsening neurologic function from the beginning of disease process. • No periods of relapses or remissions.

  6. Secondary-Progressive MS • Following an initial period of R-R MS, many people develop S-P MS. • Diseases worsens more steadily. • May have occasional flare-ups or minor remission periods.

  7. Progressive-Relapsing MS • ~ 5% of people with MS are diagnosed with Progressive-Relapsing MS. • Steadily worsening disease from the beginning. • Includes clear attacks of worsening neurologic function. • Disease progresses with out remissions.

  8. What Causes MS? • Still unknown, but scientists believe that a combination of several factors may be involved. • Immunologic • Environmental • Infectious • Genetic

  9. Immunologic • It is known that T-cells attack the myelin sheath and nerve fibers • It is unknown what triggers this response

  10. Environmental • Known to occur more often in areas far from the equator. • Scientists believe that MS may be associated with Vitamin D. • Vitamin D is thought to be beneficial to immune function and may help protect against autoimmune diseases. • Produced naturally when you are exposed to sunlight. • People who live closer to the equator are exposed to more sunlight causing them to have a higher level of vitamin D.

  11. Infectious • Exposure to viruses, bacteria or other microbes in childhood may increase your chances of getting MS. • Viruses are well know to cause damage and inflammation to the myelin. • Over a dozen viruses and bacterias are being investigated. • Measles and chlamydia.

  12. Genetic • MS is not hereditary, but having an immediate family member with MS increases the risk. • Some researchers believe that people are born with a genetic predisposition to react to other environmental factors that possibly cause MS.

  13. Who Gets MS? • 2.5 million world wide • 400,000 in the United States • Caucasians are more likely to be diagnosed • At least 2/3 more likely to occur in women than men • Most people are diagnosed between age 20 and 50 • Risk is 1/750 in general population vs. 1/40 in anyone who has an immediate family member with MS

  14. Signs and Symptoms • Fatigue • Most common symptom • Numbness of the face, body or extremities • Balance and coordination problems • Difficulty in walking • Bladder dysfunction • Found in ~ 80% of MS Pt • Bowel dysfunction • Vision problems • Generally the first symptom of MS

  15. Signs and Symptoms • Dizziness and Vertigo • Sexual Dysfunction • Pain • ~55% complain of significant pain • Cognitive Function • Ability to learn, plan, organize and problem solve • Emotional changes • Spasticity • Feelings of stiffness and involuntary muscle spasms

  16. Treatments • There is no cure • Modifying the disease course • Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Novantrone, Rebif, Tysabri • Managing Symptoms • Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cognitive rehab, vocational rehab • Emotional support • Stress management skills, dealing with mood swings and depression

  17. Old Theories • Owning a dog or small pet • Canine distemper • Allergies • Exposure to heavy metals • Mercury, manganese, lead • Aspartame

  18. Bibliography • Bledsoe, Bryan. Porter, Robert. Cherry, Richard. Paramedic Care: Principles and Practice. Vol. 5. Upper Saddle River, NJ. 2006. • National Multiple Sclerosis Society. www.nationalmssociety.org. 22 May 2008 • WebMd. www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/default.htm. 24 May 2008

More Related