MS 3 Flashcards
What are some of the main symptoms of MS?
- unilateral vision impairment
- paresthesia
- ataxia/unsteadiness
- vertigo
- fatigue
- bowel/bladder dysfunction
- speech impairment
- pain
MS: ataxia is often present with
tremor
Ataxia associated with MS: management
difficult to manage
What is the single most common and disabling symptom of MS?
fatigue
How does fatigue present with MS?
Overwhelming tiredness in those who have not exerted and are not depressed
MS and repetitive tasks: how does this influence fatigue?
- demyelinating nerves fire over and over until it shorts when called to do a repetitive task
- exercise often results in feeling increased fatigue instead of strength
Fatigue with MS is also related to ________ in addition to repetitive firing
sleep dysfunction
Mm weakness is exacerbated by
heat
What does cooling allow for with MS pts?
- more efficient nerve conduction
- improved strength
Pain and MS pts:
- surprisingly common (up to 50% affected)
- Usually burning, neuropathic type
What has led to the development of a whole new set of symptoms for MS pts?
Aggressive use of immunomodulating agents
What are some of the signs of MS? (not to be confused with symptoms)
- optic neuritis
- nystagmus
- spasticity
- Babinski’s sign
- intention tremor
- labile or mood change
- Lhermitte’s sign
Mood changes commonly seen
- Primary or secondary depression
- due to either actual bran changes and chemistry OR result of dx itself
What is Lhermitte’s sign?
momentary electric-like shock that stops you in your tracks
Lhermitte’s sign is evoked by:
- neck flexion
- cough
