10 - Multiple Sclerosis Flashcards
systems involved in MS
Neurological and immune
Incidence (when MS strikes)
20 to 40 years old
Is it curable?
No, but we can try to slow it down as it is a progressive condition
Definition of multiple sclerosis
MS is a chronic, progressive disease that leads to increasing disability in most individuals
Multiple =
many scattered areas of the brain and spinal cord are affected
Sclerosis =
“sclerosed” or hardened tissue in damaged area
No cure but the medications can help to do 2 things
- speed recovery from attacks
2. modify the course of the disease and symptoms
Simple explanation of MS
Immune system attacks the myelin sheath causing communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body
In MS, the protective coating on nerve fibers (myelin) in the CNS becomes ____ and ____. This creates a lesion that may cause numbness, tingling, or pain in parts of the body (+ loss of motor control)
detached, eventually destroyed
____ to ____ Canadians have MS
55 000 to 75 000
Cost of MS to the Canadian economy per year
More than 1 billion $
Difference with stroke (age, health, economy…)
People with stroke are usually older and will eventually die as people with MS are younger so they will live longer on medication with the disease = $$$ for the economy
Average age of clinical onset of MS
30-33 years old
Average age of diagnosis of MS
37 years old
Why such a delay between the onset age and diagnosis? (3)
- symptoms come and go
- MS gets mixed up with other conditions
- symptoms vary from one person to another
Causes of MS
Unknown
MS is considered an ____ disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues by mistake
autoimmune
Risk factors of MS
There is no single risk factor that provokes MS, but several factors are believed to contribute to the overall risk
Factors increasing the risk of developing MS (8)
Age Sex Family history Certain infections Climate Certain autoimmune diseases Smoking Race
Age factor
Mostly affects people between 20 and 40 years old (but can affect anyone)
Sex factor
Women are about twice as likely as men are to develop MS
Family history factor
If one of your parents or siblings has had MS, you are at higher risk of developing the disease
Certain infections factor
Epstein-Barr, infectious mononucleosis
Climate factor
Far more common in countries with temperate climates (ex: europe, canada, new zealand, south australia, etc.)
