Multiple sclerosis
Introduction
In order to understand the situation to be addressed and discussed in this case study, it is necessary to start by understanding the medical condition in question. Also referred to as disseminated sclerosis, multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease, commonly found in young adults, which leads to the damage of the accumulated fatty sheath of myelin, in which case, demyelination results. Demyelination is the occurrence of diseases of the nervous system, which comes as a result of the scarring of the myelin fat, leading to impaired conduction and coordination of the nerves. At the same time, it is necessary to note that multiple sclerosis has a number of major signs and symptoms, as well as related diseases that come with it (Jerinek, 2010).
In the case study, for instance, a 40 year old female patient is suffering from multiple sclerosis. The onset of the condition comes with leg numbness, as a sign and symptom. From an analysis of her family history, there have been cases of arthritis and ALS, while the patient history shows past cases of multiple sclerosis and hypothyroid disease.
Breakdown of the condition
One of the most essential things to note concerning the condition is the fact that it affects both the nervous system, as well as the blood system, by interfering with the blood capillary roles. For instance, when there is a blood-brain barrier in the flow of blood in the blood capillaries, there is a controlled entry of the T blood cells into the body’s central nervous system, which supports the performance of the brain. Consequently, when the T cells remain in the brain (trapped), chances are that an accumulated number of the same will lead to an infection. This affects both the inflow of blood into the brain, as well as effective functioning of the nervous system, particularly, the central nervous system (Jerinek, 2010).
Diagnosis of the patient
One thing to note in this case is the fact that the condition of the patient has not reached the advanced stage of the multiple sclerosis. However, it has already started affecting her nervous system. An advanced case of the same will lead to the central nervous system being affected, which is more complicated to manage, than the amateur stage of the same. Multiple sclerosis is a complicated condition to diagnose and treat. Therefore, a complete diagnosis and treatment of the symptoms is necessary, in order to ascertain and determine the condition. Considering the fact that the patient is 40 years and the condition commonly affects the young adults, ascertaining whether the condition is indeed multiple sclerosis will be determined by an actual test, not based on the symptoms.
In this case, diagnosis of the condition will require location of a lumbar puncture. The medical specialist can then draw cerebrospinal fluid from the puncture, which will be used for testing. This fluid will assist in testing whether or not there is a chronic case of central nervous system inflammation. The test is done through electrophoresis. A 75-85% inflammation detects multiple sclerosis (Graham, 2010).
Treatment
It is necessary to note that there has been no identified cure for the multiple sclerosis condition to date. Consequently, there are several primary therapies that have been identified as helpful in this case. Firstly, it is necessary to note that the measures to be taken should put into consideration the fact that they should prevent further attacks and disability. In this light, therefore, considering the fact that the condition has led to the patient’s numbness, interferon beta-1a and glatiramer acetateare are necessary drugs that will assist in the management of the condition. This is due to the fact that they will prevent cases of further inflammation of the patients. At the same time, they have been approved as effective in relieving tension and rigidity in the blood capillaries, which is one of the cases that leads to limited flow of the T blood cells. Both drugs are administered twice daily, and so it dimethyl fumarate, which also plays a major role in decreasing the number of Relapsing-Remitting Medical course attacks, otherwise referred to as RRMS. This condition affects the function ability of the body’s nervous system, particularly, the central nervous system. This is particularly, necessary in cases of severely affected nervous systems. This plays a major role in managing the situation (Wilkins, 2012).
References
Graham, J. (2010). Managing Multiple Sclerosis Naturally. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, pp. 89-94.
Jerinek, G. (2010). Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis: An Evidence-Based Guide to Recovery. New York: McGraw-Hill, p. 78.
Wilkins, A. (2012). Multiple Sclerosis. New York: McGraw-Hill, p. 116.
