Question

Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects the central nervous system. In this assignment, you will explore this condition in more detail using the scenario below.

Scenario:
A friend of yours discloses that he was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Being the caring friend you are, you wish to know more about the condition and how you can best support your friend. You decide to research this disease further.

To complete this assignment, do the following:

1. Research this disease using a minimum of 2 sources. You can use your textbook for one of the sources. Choose the remaining source(s) from the GALE Virtual Reference Library provided on the Structure and Function of the Human Body library guide page.
2. In a minimum of 2 pages (not counting the references page), address the following:
   • Explain how multiple sclerosis affects the nervous system.
   • Describe the treatment options that are available for your friend.
   • State whether it was possible for your friend to have prevented this condition.
3. Include a references page at the end of your document, formatted using the APA guidelines, that lists your research sources. include 2 sources.

Answer 1

Multiple sclerosis is a typical chronic disease characterized by autoimmune

and inflammatory neurological symptoms in the central nervous system.

In this disease, the myelinated axons in the central nervous system are the main targets.

These myelinated axons are destroyed
due to degradation/destruction of myelin and the axons in varying proportions.

This disease is highly unpredictable and also characterized by episodes of
neurological deficits which are reversible in nature. This is followed by the progressive
deterioration in neurons.

The disease is characterized by different types of symptoms. The classical
symptoms include loss of vision, fatigue, pain as well as impaired coordination.
These symptoms might vary with persons along with the severity and duration.
Some experience no symptoms at all whereas some experience chronic to mild symptoms.

The disease can be diagnosed by two different lesions namely plaques or scars in
the white matter of the central nervous system.
There is no clear cut treatment for this disease. The treatments generally improve the condition
and also prohibits new infections. However, there are certain medications
to treat which have wide range of outcome ranging from reasonably effective to poor
outcome. Physiotherapy helps to some extent. Reasonably good outcomes are seen in
women compared to men. On an average, there is a decreased life expectancy of 5- 10 years in
affected individuals.

1. Multiple Sclerosis Review
Marvin M. Goldenberg, Ph.D., RPh, MS

2. Weinshenker BG (1994). "Natural history of multiple sclerosis".
Annals of Neurology. 36 Suppl (Suppl): S6–11. doi:10.1002/ana.410360704
PMID 8017890