By: Jackie LilloPeriod 3

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

INHERITANCE

Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is an autoimmune disease that aff ects the central nervous system. It causes damage to the sheaths of nerve cells.

Although scientists have not figured out why or how you may get this disorder, the most common theories point to a virus or genetic defect, or a combination of both.

Geographic studies indicate there may be an environmental factor involved. People that have family members with MS, or people that live near a greater population of it have a higher risk of getting this disease.

SYMPTOMS & STATISTICS

Some symptoms for MS are: numbness or sensation in areas, problems moving arms and legs, problems walking, weakness, fatigue, vision and hearing loss, dizziness, balance problems, and much more.

About 250,000 to 350,000 people in the US have MS. About 200 new cases are reported each week.

Multiple Sclerosis is most common between the ages of 20 and 40. Symptoms rarely begin before age 15 or after age 60.

Whites are more than twice as likely as other races to develop MS.

In general, women are aff ected almost twice as much as men; however, among patients who develop the symptoms of MS at a later age, the gender ratio is more balanced.

There is no known cure for Multiple Sclerosis yet, but as of now you can be treated for it. Therapies help slow the disease. Also medications to slow the process of the disease are taken for long-terms.

The life expectancy rate of a MS victim as of 2002 is an average life-span minus 7 years.

LIVING WITH MS

With the trouble of walking and moving around the house, family members must be available to help. Also because of the frequent spasms in your legs or fainting, the victim may fall down and family must help them up to safety.

Many victims are in wheelchairs so family must help them to navigate around.

To be a family member of an MS victim you must always be alert and ready to help.

People that have family members with MS, or people that live near a greater population of it have a higher risk of getting this disease.

EFFECTED FAMILY

I have learned that Multiple Sclerosis is a serious disease and many people get it. It is very common in America and especially in females.

I also learned that as an MS victim, you can live a full and happy life while on therapies and medication.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

"Multiple Sclerosis - PubMed Health." Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001747/>.

"Multiple Sclerosis Statistics." Multiple Sclerosis Home Page. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://multiple-sclerosis.emedtv.com/multiple-sclerosis/multiple-sclerosis-statistics.html>.

"Multiple Sclerosis: Hope Through Research." National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/detail_multiple_sclerosis.htm>.

REFERENCES