Multiple Sclerosis Case Study

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The learning objective that I am addressing for this assignment is “What are some common differential diagnoses to include when suspecting multiple sclerosis and what features can help narrow down this list?” Multiple sclerosis can present with a massive range of symptoms, mainly depending on where the demyelinating lesions associated with the disease appear. This can often lead to physicians diagnosing another illness that is associated with lesions exclusively in that area. It may take several rounds of reappearing lesions before physicians land on a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Research has shown that treating multiple sclerosis as soon as it first displays symptoms can lead to better patient outcomes by slowing the rate of progression associated with certain types of multiple sclerosis. The following differential diagnoses and their criteria can help distinguish between multiple sclerosis, other demyelinating diseases, and acute neurological conditions such as infection or vascular problem. …show more content…
MS lesions will typically develop over several hours to days. A hyperacute onset of symptoms or slowly developing and progressively worsening symptoms can point to another cause of symptoms. Most symptoms of MS also resolve within a few weeks on their own. If symptoms persist or worsen after about 2 or 3 weeks, with or without treatment, it is important to consider other diagnoses. A typical differential diagnosis list for multiple sclerosis depends on the area of suspected lesion based on the patient’s presented symptoms. MS lesions can occur anywhere in the brain or spinal cord, but most often affect the cervical vertebrae, brainstem/cerebellum, and the optic

Multiple Sclerosis Case Study

Introduction Prevention and awareness against several diseases is an ongoing investigation. Multiple Sclerosis being one of those diseases that affects approximately 400,000 individuals [2] . Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain, spinal cord and the optic nerves [1]. MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease (body’s immune system accidentally attacks its own normal tissues/organs). In MS specifically…

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Multiple Sclerosis Case Study

Multiple Sclerosis Every good electrician knows, that a building’s wiring is no good if the insulation fails. Not only do exposed wires damage the functionality of a building; they also become a serious safety concern for anyone who walks through that building’s doors. The nerves which make up the body are much like the wires that make up a building. Each nerve in our body has a specific destination to a neuron, as each wire leads to a different “room”. Whether the neuron has an autonomic function…

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Multiple Sclerosis Case Study

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is an incurable disease that attacks the nervous system. Treatments used for this disease can be split into three categories: treatment for relapses, treatment for specific MS symptoms, and treatment to reduce relapses. This study focused on treatment for relapses, and specifically the effectiveness of oral and intravenous (IV) steroids. The results were that there was a statistically significant difference between the two, and that doctors should “consider using oral instead…

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Multiple Sclerosis Case Study

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, which is when body creates antibodies that attack its own tissue(s), that affects the body on a neurological level. Specifically, the disease targets the myelin sheath in the central nervous system, which contains the brain and spinal cord. Damage to the myelin sheath causes problems with transmitting accurate signals to the rest of the body (Virtual Medical Centre, 2013). It is one of the most common causes of chronic neurological disability in adults…

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Multiple Sclerosis Case Study

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath of nerve fibers. This can result in communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body (Kjølhede, Vissing, & Dalgas, 2012). Depending on the type of MS, patients suffer neurological and functional declines ranging from slow to rapid deterioration. This causes patients suffering from MS to typically show signs of reduced muscular strength during…

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Multiple Sclerosis Case Study

however, are much more deadly than others. Four of those include multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), aphasia, and Alzheimer's disease. These are life changing diseases. They affect the most important parts of your body, the nervous system. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that can range from mild to devastating. It is an autoimmune disease. This is when the body's immune system launches an attack against itself. In this case, the immune system attacks the nerve-insulating myelin. It is…

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Multiple Sclerosis Case Study

nervous system, the cells that form myelin are called Schwann cells. In the central nervous system, the cells that form myelin are called oligodendrocytes. 5. The term sclerosis refers mainly to hardening or scarring in the nervous system. Aside from the nervous system, hardening or thickening can also occur within blood vessels. Sclerosis would make nerve transmission less effective and much…

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Multiple Sclerosis Research Paper

More than 2.3 million people are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis worldwide. There are currently 250,000 to 350,000 people in the United States diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. And about 200 new cases are diagnosed every week (Multiple Sclerosis FAQs). Neurologists prescribe these patients with corticosteroids (steroids), either oral or through IV. Although scientists have found no cure to multiple sclerosis, Corticosteroids have been used to successfully treat relapses and potentially stop progressive-relapsing…

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Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)

– GENERAL PRINCIPLES 1.1 Terminology Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is a central nervous system demyelinating event isolated in time that is may or may not lead to the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is a term that describes a first clinical episode with features suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). It usually occurs in young adults (19-30 years old) and affects optic nerves, the brainstem, or the spinal cord. Although patients usually recover from their presenting episode. (1)…

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Hca240 R5 Appendix F Nervous System Worksheet 1 Essay examples

Associate Level Material Appendix F Review the following two case studies. Each patient is being referred to a specialist for further evaluation of a nervous system disorder. Outline characteristics of the disease each patient is suffering from by answering the questions associated with each case study. Answer in your own words. Case Study 1 Interoffice Referral Form Ray D. Ology, M.D. A Doctor’s Office, North Campus 1515 N. Medical Plaza #151 Anytown, Anywhere 12345 Dear Ray, Myelin visited…

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