MS

Question 1

what is MS?

Answer 1

MS is a condition which can affect the brain and spinal cord causing varied symptoms, such as: arm/leg weakness, vision changes, numbness and tingling and problems with balance

Question 2

what causes MS?

Answer 2

MS is an autoimmune condition which means something goes wrong with the immune system and so it starts attacking a healthy part of the body, in this case the brain and SC. it attacks the protective layer around the nerves called myelin which can damage and scar the nerves underneath aswell. this means that messages aren’t transferred as well and slowed down.

Question 3

What symptoms will they get?

Answer 3

fatigue, weakness/ difficulty walking, bladder control problems, balance and coordination problems, vision changes (blurred vision), problems thinking and learning; muscle stiffness and spasms, numbness/ tingling in limbs
- symptoms get worse after hot bath or meal

Question 4

is it genetic?

Answer 4

no, cause unknown. due to environment and genes.
3x more common in women.
further from equator= higher risk

Question 5

what treatment options are there?

Answer 5

no current cure but tx to help control the condition. encourage happy and stress free life.

• vit D supplements
• relapses: steroids
• IFN’s can be used to reduce relapses (disease modifying). as are mAbs (alemtuzumab and natalizumab)
• symptom control: spasticity (baclofen); bladder (intermittent self- catheterisation); tremor (botulinum toxin)

Question 6

what’s the prognosis?

Answer 6

5-10yrs off normal life expectancy

Question 7

complications?

Answer 7

chest/ bladder infections, swallowing difficulties

Question 8

support?

Answer 8

MS society, MS trust. shift.ms= society for younger pts

Question 9

types of MS?

Answer 9

relapsing-remitting, primary progressive, secondary progressive, progressive-relapsing

Question 10

what is a relapse?

what is remission?

Answer 10

a relapse is a period of worsening/ new symptoms that can last days- months and then recover in similar period. some relapses leave lasting damage.
remission is time between relapses and can last years.

Question 11

what is the most common type of MS?

Answer 11

relapsing- remitting

Question 12

how is it diagnosed?

Answer 12

Clinically and then MRI- mcDonald criteria. 2 plaques disseminated in time and space.