Human Physiology

Multiple Scolerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an

autoimmune disease

that affects the brain and spinal cord(

central nervous system

)

•****MSMS is caused by damage is caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the to the myelin sheath, the protective covering that protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. surrounds nerve cells. When this nerve covering When this nerve covering is damaged by is damaged by inflammation, nerve inflammation, nerve signals slow down or stopsignals slow down or stop..

•It is It is unknownunknown what exactly what exactly causes this to causes this to happenhappen..

• The most The most common thought common thought is that a is that a virusvirus or or genegene defectdefect, or , or both, are to both, are to blame. blame. Environmental Environmental factors may play a factors may play a rolerole..

•SymptomsSymptoms

•Symptoms Symptoms varyvary, because the , because the location and severity of location and severity of each attack can be each attack can be different.different. Episodes can last Episodes can last for days, weeks, or months. for days, weeks, or months. These episodes alternate These episodes alternate with periods of reduced or with periods of reduced or no symptoms (remissions)no symptoms (remissions)..

Muscle symptoms:*Loss of balance

Problems moving arms or legs*

*Muscle spasms

**Numbness or abnormal sensation in any area

Tremor in one or more arms or legs

Bowel and bladder symptoms:

1.Constipation and stool leakage2.Difficulty beginning to urinate

3.Frequent need to urinate4.Urine leakage( incontinence)

Eye symptomsEye symptoms::

•Double visionDouble vision•Uncontrollable rapidUncontrollable rapid

•eye movementseye movements•Vision loss (usually affectsVision loss (usually affects

• one eye at a timeone eye at a time))

diagnoseddiagnosed

•Symptoms of MS may Symptoms of MS may mimicmimic those of many those of many other nervous system disordersother nervous system disorders..

• The disease is diagnosed by ruling out other The disease is diagnosed by ruling out other conditionsconditions..

•People who have a form of MS called People who have a form of MS called relapsing-remitting may have a history relapsing-remitting may have a history of at least two attacksof at least two attacks, separated by a , separated by a period of reduced or no symptomsperiod of reduced or no symptoms..

•..

•A neurological exam may show A neurological exam may show reduced nerve function in one area of reduced nerve function in one area of the body, or spread over many parts the body, or spread over many parts of the body. This may includeof the body. This may include::

•11..Abnormal nerve reflexesAbnormal nerve reflexes•22..Decreased ability to move a part of Decreased ability to move a part of

the bodythe body•33..Decreased or abnormal sensationDecreased or abnormal sensation

•44..Other loss of nervous system Other loss of nervous system functionsfunctions

•Tests to diagnose multiple Tests to diagnose multiple sclerosis includesclerosis include::

•11 . .Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) for Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) for cerebrospinal fluid testscerebrospinal fluid tests..

•22 . .MRI scan of the brain and MRI scan of MRI scan of the brain and MRI scan of the spine are important to help diagnose the spine are important to help diagnose and follow MSand follow MS

•33..Nerve function studyNerve function study

TreatmentTreatment

•There is There is no knownno known cure for multiple cure for multiple sclerosis at this time. However, sclerosis at this time. However, there are therapies that may slow there are therapies that may slow the diseasethe disease..

• The goal of treatment is to control The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and help you maintain a symptoms and help you maintain a normal quality of lifenormal quality of life..

Medications used to slow the Medications used to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis are progression of multiple sclerosis are

taken on a long-term basis, they taken on a long-term basis, they includeinclude::

•11..Interferons (Avonex, or Rebif), Interferons (Avonex, or Rebif), glatiramer acetate (Copaxone)glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) , ,

•Fingolimod (Gilenya )Fingolimod (Gilenya )•Methotrexate, (Imuran)Methotrexate, (Imuran)

•cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)

Thanks for your attention