Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Henry Wilson March 6, 2013 Honors Psychology 4th

What causes Multiple Sclerosis? MS is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body's own immune system attacks itself. Immune cells attack and destroy the myelin sheath that covers neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The cause of the attack is unknown.

Who gets Multiple Sclerosis? Women are more likely to get MS than men. MS rates are higher in the US, Canada, and Northern Europe. Most people get symptoms between 20 and 40 and rarely before 15 or after 60.

Where and how does this affect people? With MS, the myelin sheath is destroyed, causing nerve messages to be sent slower and less efficiently. Symptoms occur when the brain and spinal cord nerves don't communicate with the body properly. This can affect our vision, balance, strength, coordination, and other functions.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis Initial symptoms can include: o Muscle weakness, causing difficulty walking o Loss of coordination or balance o Numbness, "pins and needles," or other abnormal sensations o Blurred or double vision Later symptoms can include: Fatigue, muscle spasms or stiffness, tremors, or paralysis Speech or swallowing difficulty, pain, and vertigo

Prognosis People with MS usually lead normal lives. Most will be able to walk and function for years after their diagnosis. Relapses with symptoms are common. At the extremes, 5% of people have a severe form leading to death. On the other side, 10-20% have a very benign form. MS shortens the lives of women by six years and men by 11 years on average. Suicide is a common cause of death, usually in younger patients.

Cures and treatments There is no cure as the cause is unknown, but there is treatment to slow progression. The three major "ABC" drugs: o Avonex o Betaseron o Copaxone o Miloxzantrone HCI, used with cancer, also approved for use All of these slow the progression and the rate at which relapses occur.

Famous Cases/People Talk show host Montel Williams Ann Romney, wife of Mit Romney Tamia, R&B Singer, wife of Grant Hill 1970's Country Western Star Donna Fargo

Organizations Multiple Sclerosis Foundation National Multiple Sclerosis Society Multiple Sclerosis Association of America All of these organizations help with educating people about multiple sclerosis and offer ways to help those with MS.

Brodsky, R. (2002). Multiple Sclerosis. In D. S. Blanchfield & J. L. Longe (Eds.), The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine (2nd ed., Vol. 3, pp ). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from &v=2.1&u=cary81451&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w "Multiple Sclerosis:MedlinePlus." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 7 Dec.2012 Web. 05 Mar