...A common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) is muscle weakness. For many years, patients with MS were told to avoid physical activity and exercise. Now it is believed that exercising with regularity can limit the deconditioning process without a triggering or exacerbation of disease symptoms or relapse (1). Because lower body weakness is common in patients with MS, exercise programs that focus on leg strength, moving ability and fatigue showed significant improvements in knee extensor and plantar flexor muscle forces and walking performance (3). An effective exercise training program for people with MS would include aerobic exercise, resistance training, and balance training. Aerobic training should occur 2 to 5 times a week on days the...
Words: 1071 - Pages: 5
...There are a several variables that can increase a person’s risk to developing multiple sclerosis. Some of these factors include latitude, smoking, gender, and age. The frequency of multiple sclerosis increases with increasing latitude worldwide (Ascherio & Munger, 2007b). One of the strongest connections between latitude and the risk of multiple sclerosis is the amount of time spent in the sun and the intensity of the sun’s rays (Ascherio & Munger, 2007b). The most common hypothesis to explain the association between the sun and risk of multiple sclerosis is the amount of in vitamin D intake. A study done by Munger et al. (2004) found that one’s susceptibility to multiple sclerosis is inversely related to their total amount of vitamin D intake....
Words: 1348 - Pages: 6
...There are a multiple variables that can cause an increase in a person’s risk to developing multiple sclerosis. One of these factors is based on latitude in which frequency of multiple sclerosis increases with increasing latitude worldwide (Ascherio & Munger, 2007). One of the strongest connections between latitude and the risk of multiple sclerosis is the amount of time spent in the sun and the strength of the sun (Ascherio & Munger, 2007). The most common hypothesis to explain the link between the sun and risk of multiple sclerosis is the difference in vitamin D intake. A study done by Munger et al. (2004) found that the susceptibility to multiple sclerosis was inversely related to the total amount of vitamin D intake. They also found that...
Words: 1022 - Pages: 5
...As an intern at Peak Physical Therapy, I shadow all of the PT’s, however, being a Psychological Sciences major with a concentration in neuroscience, I can’t help but interest myself in the patients that Courtney works with that are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. For those of you who do not know about MS, it is a neurodegenerative disorder that destroys the myelin (fatty tissue) around the nerves, which then causes motor impairments, numbness in the limbs/extremities, Lhermitte’s symptom (an electric shock-like sensation down the spine and into the limbs) as well as other cognitive deficits. As this month’s theme is wellness, I decided to touch on how nutrition plays a role in MS patients as there is a serious lack of information and research...
Words: 465 - Pages: 2
...Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system disease in which the immune system attacks its own cells. It affects between 250,000 to 350,000 people in the United States. It can cause inflammation and damage to the tissues that surround the brain leading to dysfunctional nerve impulses (Curtin et al., “Clinical Development” 265; Goldenberg 175; “White Matter Matters”). The symptoms of MS include loss of body movements, some visual loss, and numbness and tingling and about 50% of patients will require assistance with walking within 15 years after disease onset (Goldenberg 175). Multiple sclerosis is also considered to be a CD4+ T-cell-mediated disease because in previous animal experiments, CD4+ T cells were able to produce a disease similar...
Words: 1507 - Pages: 7
...What is Multiple sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis, also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system (CNS), leading to demyelination. It may cause numerous physical and mental symptoms, and often progresses to physical and cognitive disability. Disease onset usually occurs in young adults, is more common in women, and has a prevalence that ranges between 2 and 150 per 100,000 depending on the country or specific population. Multiple sclerosis affects the areas of the brain and spinal cord known as the white matter. White matter cells carry signals between the grey matter areas, where the processing is done, and the rest of the body. More specifically, Multiple sclerosis destroys oligodendrocytes which are the cells responsible for creating and maintaining a fatty layer, known as the myelin sheath, which helps the neurons carry electrical signals. MS results in a thinning or complete loss of myelin and, less frequently, the cutting (transection) of the neuron's extensions or axons. When the myelin is lost, the neurons can no longer effectively conduct their electrical signals. The name multiple sclerosis refers to the scars (scleroses - better known as plaques or lesions) in the white matter. Loss of myelin in these lesions causes some of the symptoms, which vary widely depending upon which signals are interrupted. However, more advanced forms of imaging are now showing that...
Words: 2311 - Pages: 10
...Professor Benham ENC 1101 October 4,2011 Effect of Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition of the nervous system and the brain. This means that the body’s innate ability to attack potentially harmful foreign bodies backfires. When this happens, the immune cells that should target the pathogens attach normal and healthy cells instead. Multiple sclerosis is such a condition in which the nerve endings are damaged due to the loss or destruction of the myelin sheath, a protective covering. The sensitivity and effective transmitting capability of the nerves are then compromised. (All Health Online) There are five types of Multiple Sclerosis, however the severity and type of multiple sclerosis depends upon the size and location of the plaque. There are five common types of multiple sclerosis: 1) Benign Sensory multiple sclerosis, which is a form of multiple sclerosis is the less effective on the body, it usually doesn’t get worse and it usually accompanied with loss of sensation and vision problems.2) Benign exacerbating/remission Multiple Sclerosis, fluctuates but comes closely back to baseline after the attack. 3) Chronic Relapsing-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis is another type of MS where the patents’ have more server episodes. 4) Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis is a more progressive condition where symptoms get worse without a distinct attack. 5) Acute Progressive Multiple Sclerosis involves a rapidly progressive downhill course, where episodes...
Words: 613 - Pages: 3
...Multiple Sclerosis (MS): An Autoimmune Disease. You are in your mid twenty but you feel fatigue, numbness of extremities, chronic pain, vision problem, etc almost daily. Then sometime, you feel dizzy, vertigo, loss of balance, involuntary muscle spasms, and difficult to move around. You may feel depress and mood swings in addition to these symptoms. What is wrong with you? You are at the age where as young adults with full energize life ahead, ready to take charge of an independent life and assume a various social roles and economic responsibilities like a new career after college and graduate school, begin an intimate romance relationships, or maybe starting a family of your own (Falvo, 2009). What you are experiences are the common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a Central Nervous System (CNS) disease which affects over 400,000 Americans, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. Worldwide, it affects about 2.5 million people (NewsRx Health and Science, 2012). Its exact cause is unknown, however the common thought is some unknown virus or gene defect is the blame. To really understand Multiple Sclerosis we will need to look at it definition and history, the statistics of number people afflicted with it, what are the social-psychological challenges of the disease. We will also need to look at what kind of research projects and experiments have been done regarding the disease, what kind of help and support that the community have to offer to its patients,...
Words: 3612 - Pages: 15
...people with multiple sclerosis. Although, the title of the study appears long, it is complete and accurate. Specifically, the title implies that the qualitative study was conducted on the participants after they received medical help in order to determine their perceptions of the Blue prescription as an intervention for enhancing levels of physical activity. Study Abstract An abstract refers to a brief summary of a concluded research. A proper abstract inspires the reader to scan through the research purposely to learn more about what the investigation was all about. The abstract contains the following primary elements of the research: the problem statement; the significance of physical activity among patients with multiple sclerosis; the methodology; results; and the scientific gap of adopting the Blue prescription as a way of ensuring that patients overcome the problem. Although, the study abstract is comprehensive, and has relevant keywords, it is not complete due to the lack of limitations of the study. Introduction and Study Objectives The introduction to the research study is spot on, in the sense that it offers a deep insight into the topic being studied. The authors began by highlighting the rationale and importance of the health benefits of physical activity among patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS); suggesting that, though previous studies discouraged physical activity among persons having chronic health complications, recent research studies have proven...
Words: 1719 - Pages: 7
...Exercise and Multiple Sclerosis Rebecca Milligan April 29, 2010 Participation in an exercise program can be a challenge for most people, but it can be especially difficult if someone loses mobility as a result of a chronic condition such as multiple sclerosis (MS). While these challenges may often seem insurmountable, there are many strategies that make it possible for people with MS-related mobility problems to participate in, and gain significant benefit from, a carefully designed and customized program of regular exercise. THE IMPACT OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Multiple sclerosis is an auto-immune disease of the central nervous system. It degrades the myelin sheath that covers and protects axons or nerve tissue in the body. There is also evidence that the disease damages nerve tissue itself. MS can compromise the ability of nerves to function normally, which can also affect mobility, feeling, and sensory perception. It may also cause fatigue and a loss of muscle mass due to the inability of the patients to exercise adequately. A critical element of treatment is the need to watch for signs of progression of the disease. Multiple sclerosis progression is most commonly measured through a scale called the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), which focuses largely on a person's ambulatory ability.(n1) Many doctors also use a measurement called the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC), which is a three-part composite assessment that uses a wide variety...
Words: 2636 - Pages: 11
...English 4 27 February 2014 Invisible Illnesses That Never Show Do you know anything about the illnesses that you really can’t see? For instance, I live with an illness that no one can see and I will live with it for the rest of my life. Even though you may not be able to see the illness in someone that doesn’t mean that there is nothing wrong with them. It could be any type of illness such as a nervous system disorder or disease. People can’t always see or tell if it is there but it is and people just don’t know it. Children with dysautonomia need more help than what they get now. The invisible illnesses that go unnoticed in children and don’t get publicity are multiplying. Publicity comes with illnesses that are common and known such as cancer. The funding and awareness for illnesses that you can’t see such as dysautonomia, Shy-Drager syndrome, and more are lacking. The treatments for children are behind from where they could be. There are many children are diagnosed with these invisible illnesses such as dysautonomia and other nervous system disorders that you can’t see. Dysautonomia is a serious disease of the autonomic nervous system. The percentage of being an affected individual dysautonomia is a twenty-five percent chance. Also there is a fifty percent chance of being a carrier. (Shohat) There is information on dysautonomia that shows in some people for than others. The information that has been gathered on these disorders in children should be known to the world...
Words: 2252 - Pages: 10
...Over the last century, the use of cannabis for medical use has been a topic sparking immense controversy. Since 1996, twenty-nine states have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes and countless studies have been comprised proving of the effectiveness of cannabis and cannabis derived substances in treating otherwise untreated or difficult to treat illnesses. Many still protest such substances for medical use, though their reasoning is typically unfounded and based on morality. Medical professionals have found cannabis to be effective in treating medical cases ranging from sclerosis to even some cancers. Not only can medical marijuana be used for treat diseases, it can be used to treat mental illness as well. The use of cannabinoids...
Words: 1595 - Pages: 7
...microorganism, different drugs, and certain genes may increase the risk of developing an autoimmune disease (Dugdale, 2011). Having an autoimmune disease can be difficult for a person, especially in the early stages, because many do not know what to expect or have the basic knowledge on the disease. For many, these diseases can cause major complications and illnesses, especially when going untreated for long periods of time. Fortunately, with the advances in medicine and research, people, with autoimmune diseases, can live long, normal lives with proper support and treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system characterized by the destructions of the myelin sheath surrounding neurons…” (Vaccine Safety, 2011). During a multiple sclerosis exacerbation, inflammation in the areas of white matter in the central nervous system occurs in irregular patches knows as plaques. Once this process occurs, the destruction of...
Words: 1984 - Pages: 8
...about causal relationship between MS and pregnancy. Although, many years ago, women with multiple sclerosis are advised to avoid pregnancy that their condition would not worsened, but today we access different insights. Studies conducted over the past few decades have shown that the symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be alleviated or even disappear during pregnancy. The analysis of works that report about 13 144 women with MS revealed the following data: * MS has no effect on pregnancy. * No increase in negative symptoms nor for mother nor for the child. * Woman with MS can expect a normal pregnancy and normal delivery. For all these reasons, women with MS, especially those with mild neurological deficits, should be encouraged to become pregnant as soon as possible due to the progressive flow of the disease. It is important to break down some of the prejudices that exist and women provide the necessary information: 1. Does MS affect on the fertility of women? 2. Does MS affect on pregnancy and the baby's health? 3. Is it possible to apply spinal or epidural anesthesia during childbirth? 4. Is it recommended breastfeeding and is it safe? 5. Does pregnancy affect on the MS during pregnancy and after childbirth? 6. How to treat MS during pregnancy and breastfeeding? 7. Is there a risk that child inherits this disease? Multiple sclerosis does not affect the fertility of women but pregnancy should be planned due to drugs used. The...
Words: 911 - Pages: 4
...Hommelson May 28, 2016 Lou Gehrig’s Disease Lou Gehrig’s disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is commonly known as ALS. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord (2016). The body’s motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord then to the muscles throughout the body. In ALS the motor neurons slowly degenerate eventually leading to a person’s death. When the motor neurons die our brain loses the ability to initiate and control muscle movement. As the neurons die, a person’s body loses voluntary muscle action. This causes people to lose the ability to speak, eat, move and breathe. There are two different types of ALS, sporadic and familial. Sporadic is the most common form of the disease, with 90 – 95 percent of the cases (2016). Familial means the disease is inherited, accounting for 5 to 10 percent of the cases. According to The ALS Association a population study has show that a little over 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year (2016). 60% of the people with ALS are men and 93% are Caucasian. People usually develop ALS between the ages of 40 – 70, but has occurred when a person is in their twenties and thirties (2016). ALS is 20% more common in men than in women. Heredity is also a risk factor with 5 to 10 percent of people with ALS inheriting the disease (Mayo, 2014). A recent study has shown that people with familial ALS and non-inherited ALS have some of the same genetic variations...
Words: 774 - Pages: 4
