What kind of disease is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition. These conditions involve a misdirected attack of the immune system against the body's own tissues.

Infectious Viral Autoimmune Blood

What does the body's nervous system control?

The nervous system controls the processing of sensory information, reflex reactions, voluntary movement, thought and reason, and functional body mechanisms such as breathing, circulation, digestion, and heartbeat. All the nerve cells in the body together comprise the nervous system.

The five senses Balance and blood pressure Thought and reason All of the above

What is myelin?

Myelin is a coating that surrounds nerves that facilitate the passage of nerve signals. This coating is often referred to as the myelin sheath. In MS, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath, interrupting the normal transmission of signals within the nervous system. This depletion of myelin is called demyelination.

A fatty coating surrounding nerves A nerve insulator Both Neither

Which is a common symptom of MS?

Imbalance is a common symptom of MS and results from damage to the nerves that control movement. Problems with coordination, gait disturbances, and difficulty standing are other possible symptoms that may occur. As the disease progresses, symptoms of MS can affect many systems and cause impairments in vision, memory, speech, and writing.

Stuttering Fibromyalgia Insomnia Imbalance

Do people die from MS?

While MS is typically not a lethal disease, it can be disabling. Some research indicates that people with MS live slightly less long than those without the condition, possibly due to disease complications or other medical problems. The life expectancy for those suffering from MS has increased over time as newer treatments have been developed.

No Yes

Which phrase is the best direct translation of "multiple sclerosis?"

The term "sclerosis" refers to the process of scar formation. The multiple areas in the central nervous system affected by MS are termed plaques. These are areas of scar tissue that form when myelin is destroyed.

"Many locations of scar tissue" "Many destroyed nerves" "Many areas of bodily weakness" "Many areas of poor coordination"

Multiple sclerosis is only seen in adults.

In most cases, the earliest symptoms of MS arise in young to middle adulthood. Rarely, however, children can develop a variant of MS known as Schilder's disease. Like MS, Schilder's disease is characterized by depletion of myelin and progressively worsening neurologic symptoms that can include tremors, instability, incontinence, and dementia.

True False

The clear cause of MS remains unknown, though ____________ may be important factors.

While it is understood that MS results from autoimmune damage to myelin, the exact reasons why this damage occurs and why the immune system targets myelin are poorly understood. Both genetic and environmental factors may play a role in its development.

Ethnicity, diet, and antibiotic resistance Height, blood pressure, and birth order Sleep hygiene, emotional health, childhood habits Environment, viruses, and genetics

Are there treatments available for MS?

There is no cure for MS but there are a multitude of available treatments. Over the past 20 years, there have been major research breakthroughs that have led to the development of many new drugs to treat MS due to increased knowledge about the immune system and the availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor MS progression. These new medications have been shown to reduce the number and severity of relapses and to delay the long-term progression of MS.