Long term neurological conditions Flashcards
What is MS?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating diseaseof the CNS characterised by an inflammatory process and widespread degeneration of the CNS gradually resulting in severe neurological deficit
Who is at higher risk of getting MS?
- Females
- More in temerate latitudes than the tropics
- 20-40 years
- higher socio-economic classes
- genetic element
- caucasians
what are some of the signs and symptoms of MS?
- Visual problems
- fatigue
- weakness
- spasticity and hyperflexia
- ataxia and mpoor coordination
- sensory loss
- dizziness and poor balance
- sphincter disturbance
- psychiatric and psychological disturbances
- decreased interllectual function
What are the 4 types of MS?
- Relapsing-remitting MS
- Secondary progressive ms
- primary progressive ms
- Silent or benign MS
what does a graph to show relapsing-remitting ms look like?
Describe a graph to show secondary progressive MS
describe a graph to show primary progressive ms
What is the pathology of a relapse of MS?
- Disruption of blood brain barrier
- Leakage of inflmmatory cells
- destruction of oligodendrocytes and myelin sheath
- Disruption of nerve signals
what is the hypothesis on what triggers MS?
Combination of both environmental and genetic factors. Exposure to some environmental agent during childhood to those susceptible bewcause of genetic factors results in auto-immune response
how is MS diagnosed?
- Diagnosis of excusion
- Lumbar puncture to test for oligoclonal bands on spinal fluid
- Nerve conduction tests
- MRI scan
what disease modifying drugs are there?
- Interferon beta
- Glatiramer Acetate
- Mitoxantrone
- Natalizumab
What is there for the treatment of the symptoms?
- Anti spasticity agents
- Anti-depressants
- analgesia
- drugs to reduce bladder problems
- spliting
- wheelchairs and seating
- adding linoleic acid and fish oils to diet
- hyperbaric oxygen
- physiotherapy
