brochure what is ms

8/10/2019 Brochure What is MS

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What is MS?

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic,often disabling disease that attacks thecentral nervous system (brain and spinalcord). Symptoms may be mild, such as

numbness in the limbs, or severe, suchas paralysis or loss of vision.

Te progress, severity, and specific symptomsof MS vary among individuals and areunpredictable. oday, new treatments andadvances in research are giving new hopeto people who are affected by the disease.

MS is thought to be an immune-mediateddisease in which the bodys immunesystem attacks myelin, the fatty substancethat surrounds and protects the nervefibers of the central nervous system.

Te damaged myelin forms scar tissue(sclerosis). Often the nerve fiber is alsodamaged. When any part of the myelin

sheath or nerve fiber is damaged ordestroyed, nerve impulses traveling toand from the brain and spinal cord aredistorted or interrupted.

Most individuals with MS have near-normal life expectancies, and most learn tocope with the disease and are able to liveproductive lives.

What are its symptoms?

Te symptoms of MS may includetingling, numbness, painful sensations,slurred speech, and blurred or doublevision. Some people experience muscle

weakness, poor balance, poor coordination,muscle tightness or spasticity, tremors,or paralysis, which may be temporary orpermanent. Problems with bladder, bowel,or sexual function are common. Fatigue isa major concern for many. MS can causeforgetfulness or difficulty concentrating.It can also cause mood changes and maymake people more susceptible to depression.Symptoms may come and go, appear inany combination, and be mild, moderateor severe.

Can MS be treated?

Yes. oday there are twelve disease-modifying medications approved by the

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)to treat MS. Six of them Avonex,Betaseron, Copaxone, Extavia,PlegridyTMand Rebif are given byinjection, and three are taken orally Aubagio, Gilenya and ecfidera.Lemtrada, Novantrone and ysabri aredelivered by infusion.

Tese twelve medications have been shownto be effective in reducing disease activity in

relapsing forms of MS. All but Lemtrada andNovantrone are considered to be first-lineoptions for people with MS, meaning thatthe FDA does not recommend or requirethat a person try another medication beforetaking them. Novantrone is a powerful immune

system suppressor shown to be effective inslowing down MS that is rapidly worseningor becoming progressive. However, it isseldom prescribed at this time because ofsignificant risks associated with its use.

Te National MS Society recommendsthat treatment with one of thesemedications be considered as soon aspossible following a confirmed diagnosisof MS with a relapsing course.

reatment with one of the injectablemedications may be recommended evenbefore an individual is definitely diagnosed,if the person experienced one episode ofneurologic symptoms (also called an attack,

relapse or exacerbation) and has evidence ofMS lesions as seen by MRI scanning.

Steroids may be used to shorten acuteattacks. As of the printing of thisbrochure, other medications are in variousstages of clinical trials or are under reviewby the FDA, and researchers are hopefulthat more treatments for MS will be

available in the near future. Please checknationalMSsociety.orgfor updates.


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AJ, diagnosed in 2000

Healthcare providers use a wide range ofmedications and management strategies torelieve or moderate MS symptoms suchas spasticity, bowel and urinary distress,pain, fatigue, or depression. Amongthe medications are some that have

been specifically approved for use in MS,including Ampyra to improve walking;Botox to relieve upper limb spasticityand certain types of bladder problems;and Nuedexta to treat uncontrollablelaughing and crying. Te managementstrategies used to manage symptoms andhelp people maintain their independence

and quality of life include physicaltherapy, exercise, vocational and cognitiverehabilitation, attention to diet, adequaterest and counseling. Prompt managementof symptoms is vital and should bediscussed with a knowledgeable physician.

Who gets MS?

More than 2.3 million people are affectedby MS worldwide. Most are diagnosedbetween the ages of 20 and 50, and abouttwo thirds are women. Te disease is morefrequently found among people raisedin colder climates. Studies indicate thatgenetic factors make certain individualssusceptible to the disease, but there is no

evidence that MS is directly inherited.

What happens in MS?

MS is an unpredictable disease. Symptomsvary greatly from person to person andvary over time in the same person.

Periods of active MS symptoms are calledattacks, exacerbations, or relapses. Tese canbe followed by quiet periods called remissions.

Te disease ranges from very mild andintermittent to steadily progressive.Some people have few attacks and little,if any, accumulation of disability overtime. At diagnosis, most people haverelapsing-remitting disease. Tis means

they have attacks followed by periods of

partial or total remission that may lastmonths or even years. Others experiencea progressive disease course with steadilyworsening symptoms. he diseasemay worsen steadily from the onset(primary-progressive MS) or may become

progressive after a relapsing-remittingcourse (secondary-progressive MS).

Because MS affects individuals so differently,it is difficult to make generalizations aboutdisability. Statistics suggest that 2 out of 3people with MS remain able to walk overtheir lifetime, though many of them willneed a cane or other assistive device. Some

will choose to use a scooter or wheelchairto conserve energy or manage balanceproblems. Others will require a wheelchairto maintain mobility.

Te disease-modifying treatments, whichhave been in use only since the 1990s,may favorably alter this projection.

Is MS easily diagnosed?

MS is not always easy to diagnose becausesymptoms may come and go. In addition,other diseases of the central nervoussystem have some of the same symptoms.No single neurological or laboratory testcan confirm or rule out MS.


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brochure what is ms

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