Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis
Antonia Mendoza
Yvonne Randall
OS 300
10/19/2013

Sclerosis

Impact Paper
Part I
Multiple Sclerosis or MS is considered to be an autoimmune disease that attacks
the central nervous system; which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.
(Multiple Sclerosis, 2013). Multiple Sclerosis is caused when the body eats away the
myelin on the nerve. Myelin is made up of protein and fatty acids that forms a protective
layer around the axon of the nerve. When functioning properly the myelin sheath allows
electrical impulses to travel along the nerve axon quickly. (What is The Function of
Myelin In Nerve Cells?, 2013) When the myelin sheath is damaged it causes a dense,
scar- like tissue, which is called sclerosis. The scar tissue affects how the electrical signal
travels along the axon. This in turn distorts the electrical signals that come to and from
the brain, which causes the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. (Multiple Sclerosis, 2013).
The causes of Multiple Sclerosis are still unknown, but scientists believe that MS
is caused by a combination of factors. Scientist know that MS is an abnormal response to
the bodys immune system, but the exact antigen that causes the body to attack itself is
unknown. Scientist have noticed that MS seems to occur in individuals that live farther
away from the equator. Another factor that scientist believe to trigger MS is a virus or
infectious agent that is contracted by the individual. Lastly, scientists believe that genetics
can play role in MS. (MS National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2013). Multiple Sclerosis
is most commonly found in Caucasian women, but MS can occur in men and other ethnic
groups as well. (Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Better Questions Lead to Better Answers, 2013).
Symptoms of MS can vary from one individual to another individual, but the
common symptoms are fatigue, numbness, walking, balance, coordination, bladder
dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, vision, dizziness and vertigo, sexual dysfunction, pain,
cognitive dysfunction, emotional changes, depression and spasticity. Fatigue occurs in

Sclerosis

80% of people with MS. Numbness, which is usually the first symptom experienced by
the individual, can occur in the face, body and extremities of a person with MS. The less
common symptoms of MS are speech disorders, swallowing problems, headache, hearing
loss, seizures, tremors, breathing problems and itching. (MS National Multiple Sclerosis
Society, 2013). People with MS are also sensitive to heat. The smallest increase in body
temperature can trigger or even worsen MS symptoms. (Multiple Sclerosis, 2013).
To diagnosis a person with MS a doctor will us several different strategies. First, a
doctor will review patients medical history to conclude if they have experienced any past
or present symptoms. The doctor then performs a series of test such as mental, emotional,
language function, movement/coordination, balance and vision. Since MS can mimic
symptoms from other diseases, a doctor will order blood test to rule out any infectious or
inflammatory diseases. Chances are a doctor will also order a MRI of the brain. MRIs
are helpful in detecting lesions or scars on the central nervous system caused by MS.
Lastly, there is a possibility that the doctor will order a Visual Evoked Potential or VEP,
this test records the nerves systems electrical responses to stimulation of specific sensory
pathways. (Multiple Sclerosis, 2013). (MS National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2013).
Currently there is no cure for MS, but with treatment it can help decrease the
frequency of relapses and even delay the progression of the disease. There are four types
of MS; the most common is Relapsing- Remitting MS or RRMS. About 85% of
individuals diagnosed with MS suffer from RRMS. This form of MS has periods of
relapses, flare-ups or exacerbations when new symptoms appear. The second type of MS
is Secondary-Progressive MS or SPMS. This form of MS is when symptoms worsen over
time. Most of the individuals diagnosed with RRMS will progress into SPMS. The third
type of MS is Primary- Progressive MS or PPMS. This form of MS is rare and only

Sclerosis

occurs in about 10% of people diagnosed with MS. PPMS has no relapses or remissions
and is the slowing worsening symptoms from the beginning of the diagnosis. The last
form of MS and the rarest is called Progressive- Relapsing MS or PRMS. This is the
steadily worsening of the disease from the beginning, with small relapses but no
remission. (Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Better Questions Lead to Better Answers, 2013).
Once the doctor knows what type of MS you have they are then able to form a treatment
plans that best suites you.
Some strategies to help control MS are prescription drugs and therapy.
Corticosteroid drugs are prescribed mainly used to reduce the inflammation that is caused
during a relapse. Another type of drugs that can be prescribed for individuals with MS is
Beta interferons. Beta interferons slow down the progression of MS and can reduce the
attacks or severity of attacks on the central nervous system. Individuals with MS can also
seek help from a Physical therapist, Occupational therapist, and therapist for speech and
swallowing problems. These therapists can help the individual learn new techniques for
daily living. (MS National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2013).
Part 2
Anna Warr, twenty- seven has been coping with MS for seven years. It was 2006,
a couple days after her twentieth birthday when she started to experience stroke like
symptoms. Her family immediately rushed her to the hospital. Hours later she was
diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It has been a difficult journey and often times Anna
becomes depressed. Wishing that she could go back to the way she was before her first
attack. Her stroke like symptoms has left her weak on her right side. She now depends on
her left side to pick up objects and carry most of the weight when walking.
After her first attack, Anna was paralyzed. For months she spent hours with the
Physical Therapist learning how to reuse her muscles. Slowly but surely she was able to

Sclerosis

regain some mobility. To this day Anna still has difficulty walking and can only go short
distances before she tires. Annas MS has also affected her fine motor skills, primarily
being able to write. She is not always able to grasp the pencil and then to even get her
muscles to draw the shapes of the letters can feel impossible. Anna has been realizing
lately that if she keeps up with writing she does not have to work so hard to form the
shapes of the letters. MS has also affected her cognitive abilities. Before her attack she
was a fulltime student with a part-time job. This however has changed; she now can only
handle two classes at a time while working part-time. This is because she is not always
able to remember the information she just learned. Second, she does not always
understand the information she read or was taught in class.
Being active is important in Annas life. On a daily basis she tries to take a walk
around the block and sometimes she will do workout vides. Recently Anna just received
heartbreaking news. She is now not able to be outside if the temperature is above 80
degrees. Summers are hard for Anna and she ends up feeling cooped up. One thing she
struggles with is her diet; she knows that she is supposed to eat healthy as it can control
her MS.
Like many individuals with MS, Anna finds herself relaying on others to assist her
with her everyday activities. Currently she is not allowed to drive and so she has to relay
on family or friends to get her to and from school and work. If she wants to do her hair or
put on makeup she then has to ask her sister to help her. Sometimes this is discouraging,
as she just wants to do it herself. Anna concluded that even though she does not wish MS
on anyone, she has learned a lot from her disease. She is grateful to be able to walk even
though it is slow and unsteady and needs assistance. She is grateful for everyday life.
(Warr, 2013).

Sclerosis

Anna is just one of the many examples of an Individual with MS. Even though
MS can affect each individual differently, eventually they start to need assistants to
function in every day life. An individual with MS will constantly have to practice writing,
walking, running just to keep up the skill. Life can be difficult as they may have to relay
on other individuals to assist them in getting ready, getting to and from places, doing
school work and so forth. Exercise and nutrition are strongly suggested in an individual
with MS. Many individuals with MS reported that they have an improved sense of well
being if they eat healthy and do some form of exercise daily. (UCSF Medical Center,
2013). People with MS a higher tendency to become easily depressed. This is because
they are not always able to do their daily occupations themselves, such a putting makeup
on. People with MS constantly have to find different techniques to get though their day
to day occupations. This can be difficult as they have to work extremely hard to train
there body a new way to do a simple task. (UCSF Medical Center, 2013).
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that affects the individuals daily living; from
walking to ones cognitive abilities. Many times individuals with MS can become
depressed, feeling left out as they cannot always keep up with there peers. They tend to
have to relay on others to help them get though the day and in the end they feel like they
loose there independence. With exercise, a balanced diet and even seeing specialized
therapist they are able to better manager their disease. (UCSF Medical Center, 2013)

Sclerosis

References
UCSF Medical Center. (2013). Retrieved October 2013, from Living With Multiple
Sclerosis| Patient Education|UCSF Medical Center:
www.ucsfhealth.org/education/living_with_multiple_sclerosis/
Warr, A. (2013, October 28). Living with Multiple Sclerosis. (A. Mendoza, Interviewer)
What is The Function of Myelin In Nerve Cells? (2013). Retrieved October 2013, from
What Is The Function Of Myelin In Nerve Cells?- HealthCentral:
www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/h/what-is-the-function-of-myelin-innerve-cells.html
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Better Questions Lead to Better Answers. (2013, March).
Retrieved October 2013, from About MS- Causes & Risk Factorsmultiplesclerosis.com: multiplesclerosis.com/us
Multiple Sclerosis. (2013, July 13). Retrieved October 2013, from Multiple SclerosisMayoClinic.com: www.mayoclinic.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/DS00188
MS National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (2013). Retrieved October 2013, from National
MS Society: National MS Society: www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx