MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Flashcards
multiple sclerosis
- autoimmune disease in CNS
- body’s immune system attacks the myelin sheaths surrounding the neurons of the brain and spinal cord
- causes demyelination and a subsequent slowing or stopping of nerve transmission
who is affected by MS
- more women
- between 20 & 40 years old
relapsing/remitting MS
- “flare-ups” when new lesions or symptoms appear
- alternating with periods of remission when no new symptoms occur
- most common form of MS
- will often transition to SECONDARY PROGRESSIVE MS
secondary progressive MS
- symptoms worsen SLOWLY over time
- with OR without relapses and remissions
- most people initially diagnosed with relapsing/remitting will transition to secondary progressive at some point
primary progressive MS
- NO RELAPSES OR REMISSIONS
- symptoms worsen slowly from the onset
progressive relapsing
MOST AGGRESSIVE
- symptoms worsen steadily from the onset, with acute relapses and NO remissions
symptoms of MS
fatigue, paresthesias, sensitivity to extreme heat, pain, vertigo, emotional reactions, visual symptoms, motor symptoms, cognitive symptoms
cognitive symptoms of MS
short term memory, word finding, difficulty attending, slow processing, EF
motor symptoms of MS
muscle weakness, coordination, balance, ataxia, partial/complete paralysis, spasticity, intention tremor, bowel/bladder issues (incontinence), impaired sex functions
visual symptoms of MS
diplopia, scotoma, loss of visual acuity, optic neuritis
emotional reactions in MS
lability, euphoria, reactive depression
primary fatigue
due to cortical damage (in the cerebral cortex of the brain), leads to overwhelming fatigue
secondary fatigue
due to deconditioning, respiratory muscle weakness, pain
medications for MS
- Disease-modifying medications to slow disease progression
- Antispasmodics, muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants
- Neurofunctional modifiers
- Corticosteroids
- Spasticity managing meds
What types of sensory impairments are present in MS?
Heat sensitivity, temp, prop, pain, vibration
