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Multiple Sclerosis
(NR010)

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). MS is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body's immune system is damage by genetic or environmental factors (or both), causing it to attack its own tissues. In the case of MS, these tissues are the myelin covering the nerve fibers in the brain.

During an MS attack, inflammation occurs in areas of the white matter of the central nervous system in random patches called plaques. This process is followed by destruction of myelin, the fatty covering that insulates nerve cell fibers in the brain and spinal cord. Myelin facilitates the smooth, high-speed transmission of electrochemical messages between the brain, the spinal cord, and the rest of the body; when it is damaged, neurological transmission of messages may be slowed or blocked completely, leading to diminished or lost function.

There are two main types of MS. The relapsing-remitting type is characterized by periods of worsening symptoms followed by periods of remission. The chronic progressive type is characterized by a steadily progressive course with few or no periods of symptom remission.

Treatment modalities include medications, therapy, and sometimes, surgery for specific problems.

MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information

The Medifocus Guide on Multiple Sclerosis provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:


What Your Doctor Reads:

This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:


MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information

MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.

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