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Hypochondriac (hī-pō-kon’drē-ak): a person with somatic over-concern, including morbid attention to the details of bodily functioning and exaggeration of any symptoms no matter how insignificant.
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Multiple Sclerosis
MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. Surrounding and protecting the nerve fibers of the CNS is a fatty tissue called myelin, which helps nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses. In MS, myelin is lost in multiple areas, leaving scar tissue called sclerosis. These damaged areas are also known as plaques or lesions. Sometimes the nerve fiber itself is damaged or broken. Myelin not only protects nerve fibers, but makes their job possible. When myelin or the nerve fiber is destroyed or damaged, the ability of the nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain is disrupted, and this produces the various symptoms of MS. Symptoms: Multiple sclerosis symptoms generally appear between the ages of 20 and 40. The onset of MS may be dramatic or so mild that a person doesn't even notice any symptoms until far later in the course of the disease. The most common early symptoms of MS include: -Tingling -Numbness -Loss of balance -Weakness in one or more limbs -Blurred or double vision Less common symptoms of MS may include: -Slurred speech -Sudden onset of paralysis -Lack of coordination Treatment: A number of drugs have been shown to slow the progression of MS in some people. These are called the disease modifying drugs. They include: -Avonex (interferon beta-1a) -Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) -Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) -Novantrone (mitoxantrone) -Rebif (interferon beta-1a) -Tysabri (natalizumab)
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Note:
The information on this page is not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your physician to
discuss any health concerns that you may have.
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