1. MULTIPLE SCLEROSISBy: Maria Love06/2011~ Thank you Amaray for all of your help ~

2. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/04/health/04brod.html 3. Genetics of MS The genes a person inherits help determine whether that person isat increased risk for developing MS. MS does not follow thetraditional gene inheritance patterns of autosomal dominant andrecessive or sex linked. While there is evidence from studies thatthis genetic component exists, it appears to be only one factoramong several that determine who gets MS. Most likely, anindividuals genetic blueprint ultimately determines if thatindividual will be susceptible to a triggering factor in theenvironment, which in turn initiates the autoimmune process thatleads to the development of MS. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-we-know-about-ms/who-gets-ms/genetics/index.aspx 4. Physical Manifestation BRAIN LESIONShttp://www.health.com/health/library/mdp/0,,zm6056,00.html STRIPING OF MYLIN SHEETHBeing that MS is a type of autoimmune disease , the body attacks the Mylin Sheeth (protective coating of the nerve) or its own body. health.howstuffworksMS exacerbation is caused by inflammation in the central nervous system. The inflammation damages the myelin sheeth (white, fatty substance that covers and protects a part of the nerve cells) and delays or short circuits transmission of nerve signals which causes the symptoms of MS. 5. SymptomsMS exacerbation or Relapse is a sudden worsening of 1 or more MS symptoms or theappearance of new symptoms.Depression can be a direct result of MS damage within the brain.Motor System Symptoms: Muscle weakness, Mild paralysis Spasticity or stiffness Slurred speech Involuntary contractionSensory System Symptoms: Tingling sensation, Partial numbness Feeling excruciating pain without a cause Feeling electric shocks in head or throughout the body Affects the sense of touch Cognitive issues ~ Which becomes delayed due to loss of the Myelin Sheeth in thebrain Heat sensitivityCoordination/balance issues: Vertigo Loss of coordination Shaking while performing precision actions 6. DiagnosisThey must find evidence of damage in at least two separate areas of the centralnervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.Referred to as White Matter or Lesions in the brain.Doctors (Neurologist) look for these signs: The physician also performs a variety of tests to evaluate mental, emotionaland language functions, movement and coordination, balance, vision, and theother four senses. MRI is the best imaging technology for detecting the presence of MS plaquesor scarring (also called lesions) or (multiple scars) in different parts of theCNS. Evoked potential (EP) tests are recordings of the nervous systems electricalresponse to the stimulation of specific sensory pathways (e.g., visual,auditory, general sensory). Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid, which is sampled by a spinal tap,detects the levels of certain immune system proteins and the presence ofoligoclonal bands. While there is no definitive blood test for MS, blood tests can rule out otherconditions that cause symptoms similar to those of MS, including Lymedisease, a group of diseases known as collagen-vascular diseases, certain rarehereditary disorders, and AIDS. 7. Frequency & History of MS The number of cases of Multiple Sclerosis range between 2 to 150 in one thousand people Onset/symptoms begin in young adults MS occurs predominantly in women Jean-Martin Charcot first described MS in 1868How many people have MS? Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every weekabout 200 people are diagnosed. World-wide, MS affects about2.5 million people. Because the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC) does not require U.S. physicians to reportnew cases, and because symptoms can be completely invisible,the numbers can only be estimated. MS affects every ethnic group but is more common inCaucasians of northern European ancestry. 8. Varieties of MSThere are (3) three types of MS:(1)Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) - The most common disease course, a person experiences attacks (also called relapses or exacerbations) of worsening neurologic functioning followed by periods of remission in which partial or complete recovery occurs. This type people say, But you look so good.(2)Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) While technically a form of progressive MS, this type acts more like a relapsing form of MS in its early-to-mid stage with relapses and remissions being quite common.(3)Progressive MS (PRMS) This type shows no relapses, but over a period of years, there is gradual loss of physical cognitive functions. 9. Treatment/TherapyCan MS be cured? Not yet. There are now FDA-approved medications that have been shown to "modify" or slowdown the underlying course of MS. In addition, many therapeutic and technological advancesare helping people manage symptoms. Advances in treating and understanding MS are madeevery year, and progress in research to find a cure is very encouraging.Types of Medications:Immunomodulating Medications (injection therapy)*Avonex- $3,526.59- Once a week injection intramuscular (into the muscle)*Betaseron -$4,129.69- Every other day injection subcutaneous (under the skin)*Copaxone -$4,345.29- Every day injection subcutaneous (under the skin)*Rebif-$3,180.19- Three times a week injection subcutaneous (under the skin)Tysabri- Every four weeks by IV infusionImmunosuppressant drugNovantrone Four times a year by IV infusion* Monthly cost of medications without insurance per Walgreens 10. A Sample day with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for me, it is RRMS Good morning, did you sleep well? Had a great nights sleep. I didnt. Been thinking about you all I can do all things through Christ who strengthensnight.me (Phil. 4:13). So whats your plans for today? Going fast walking this morning. Got a surprise for you. Wow, struggling on my last round of my 2nd mile.75 degree temperature @ 7:00 a.m., yikes, theheat. Walking funny, man my head ... Got to listen to my body, got to go home and rest. Hey, Im b-a-c-k. I thought you were gone? Oh, who you talkin to? Hey lady, I just c-c-came from the c-ca-ca store. Lets cook. Ouch! I forgot to use the pot holder to take out thehot food out of the oven again. Im your stunt double today. I didnt know that there was an art to falling. Hey, while your relaxing, let me thrill What the heck? Feels like Im short circuiting allyou. How about some electrical shocks?through my body. Remember me , Paralysis? Woke up this morning , where is my arm? 11. What I have learned thus far: Though Neurologist are specialist, I have learned that there arespecialist in that field as well. My Neurologist is an MS Neurologist.I strongly urge you to seek out one in your area. I have learned not to get overwhelmed, but to get informed (myadvice to the newly diagnosed). Get connected: Find a good support group in your area. Join the MSSocietys blog where you can get encouragement, answers to yourquestions, share a new way of eating, or inquiries on a drug, anexercise program and of course the jokes, got to love the jokes. Iam sure there are other sites out there as well. I have learned that MS has many faces. It does not discriminate.And it comes around when you least expect it. I had no idea howmany people were affected with MS. Something that Id like to stress is that one should rule out anyailment or sickness before assuming it is MS related. I manage MS, it does not manage me. 12. !~ UNDERSTAND ~ (A Poem)If you dont understand MS, could you just trust me?If you dont get it", can you just love me?If you cant see what Im going through, can you just believe me?If you cant understand my pain, can you just comfort me?If you cant find a way to fix it,Can you find an ear to lend?If you dont know why this happened, Can you help my spirit mend?I love you for trying,Dont ever forget.The effort youve put forth,Please dont regret.I have this disease And I have confusion.Just dont ever think MS is some illusion.Can you love me anyway?Can you be my friend? You may never understand it, But MS is apart of me in the end.~By Tammy Malkowski, 7/26/10 13. ResourcesnationalMSsociety.orgwww.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-we-know-about-ms/who-gets-ms/genetics/index.aspxwww.nytimes.com/2008/03/04/health/04brod.htmlwww.health.com/health/library/mdp/0,,zm6056,00.htmlwww.acthar.comWikipedia