By: Janae Bailey
Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the central nervous system (NMSS, n.d). The central nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Damage to the central nervous system interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body (NMSS, n.d). Thanks to breakthroughs in healthcare, multiple sclerosis is rarely fatal (NMSS, n.d).
Who gets MS?
Multiple Sclerosis is two to three times more likely to develop in women than in me; is associated with Vitamin D deficiency and cigarette smoking; and occurs most commonly in African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanic/Latinos (NMSS, n.d). MS is not inherited or contagious (NMSS, n.d).
Symptoms & Diagnosis.
Symptoms of MS are unpredictable and may be permanent or temporary (NMSS, n.d). Signs and symptoms of MS include: fatigue, numbness, tingling, blurred vision, double vision, weakness, poor coordination, imbalance, pain, depression, and problems with memory or concentration (NMSS, n.d). MS is awfully difficult to diagnose but is generally diagnosed with careful medical history, a neurological exam, and various test, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), evoked potentials (EP), and spinal fluid analysis (NMSS, n.d).
Treatment.
Unfortunately, there is no cure to multiple sclerosis. However, the FDA has approved medications to modify the course of MS by limiting new areas of damage in the central nervous system, ultimately reducing the number of relapses and delaying (NMSS, n.d). Traditionally, MS is treated symptomatically since it may attack any part of the body (NMSS, n.d).
Get Involved!
With your help, NSO raised $355 for Multiple Sclerosis at the MS Bake Sale held at the Passaic campus March 21st. We appreciate your support!
You may also join NSO in the annual Multiple Sclerosis walk Sunday, April 28, 2019 in Ridgefield Park, Overpeck Park 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia, New Jersey. To register, please refer to the following link: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Get-Involved ; waivers must be completed prior to the walk.
Please visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at https://www.nationalmssociety.org/ for additional volunteer, advocate, and MS support opportunities.
Stay tuned for next month article in May about HPV education.
Until then,
March Strong!
Yours truly,
Janae Bailey, on behalf of the Nursing Student Organization (NSO)
For more information regarding NSO, please contact us at nso@pccc.edu
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