MS Flashcards
Chronic neurological =
no cure
Multiple Sclerosis
A chronic, progressive, degenerative disorder of the central nervous system
MS characterized by
segmental demyelination of nerve fibers of brain and spinal cord
remission and exacerbation
Cause of MS
unknown
related to genetics, infection, and immunity (possible environment early in life)
mostly women btw 20-50
- pregnancy
excessive fatigue, poor health
injury, stress
More progressive MS when dx at age greater than 50 due to
comorbidities
What celebrities do you think of when you hear MS?
Selma Blair
Kristina Applegate
Why does MS take longer to dx
do not notice till worsen s/s by compensation
The onset of MS is
insidious and gradual
vague s/s intermittently over months or years
- not enough to seek medical help
The overall trend of MS
progressive deterioration in neurologic function
- remission and exacerbations
MS s/s
Intention tremors = trying to grab something it gets worse
Spastic Bladder = bladder retraining
speech impediment , tremors, dizzy, LOC, limb weak, attention deficit, vision loss, tingling and prickling pain
Relapsing-remitting:
patients tend to experience an attack or series of attacks (exacerbations) followed by complete or partial remission.
Primary progressive:
disease shows progression from onset with occasional plateaus and temporary minor improvements.
Secondary Progressive:
chronic, progressive form of the disease where, unlike the RRMS stage, there are no real periods of remission, only breaks in attack duration with no real recovery from symptoms although there may be minor relief
S/S 1st common of MS
visual loss (blindness, double vision, blind in one eye)
facial numbness
gait difficulties need assistive device
then motor, sensory, mind, and anger
As an MS pt gets older, the disease becomes more
progressive
The average life expectancy after the onset of MS symptoms is
25 years
