Christian Party

Multiple Sclerosis
Affects 270 THOUSAND Americans

	The link between 270,000 Americans with Multiple Sclerosis and dental caries.
	One more in the series "Killing Christians thru better medicine".

Definition

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting movement, sensation, and bodily functions. It is caused by destruction of the myelin insulation covering nerve fibers (neurons) in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Description

MS is a nerve disorder caused by destruction of the insulating layer surrounding neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This insulation, called myelin, helps electrical signals pass quickly and smoothly between the brain and the rest of the body. When the myelin is destroyed, nerve messages are sent more slowly and less efficiently. Patches of scar tissue, called plaques, form over the affected areas, further disrupting nerve communication. The symptoms of MS occur when the brain and spinal cord nerves no longer communicate properly with other parts of the body. MS causes a wide variety of symptoms and can affect vision, balance, strength, sensation, coordination, and bodily functions.

Multiple sclerosis affects more than a quarter of a million people in the United States. Most people have their first symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40; symptoms rarely begin before 15 or after 60. Women are almost twice as likely to get MS as men, especially in their early years. People of northern European heritage are more likely to be affected than people of other racial backgrounds, and MS rates are higher in the United States, Canada, and Northern Europe than in other parts of the world. MS is very rare among Asians, North and South American Indians, and Eskimos.

http://www.answers.com/topic/multiple-sclerosis?cat=health

The Natural History Of Multiple Sclerosis

Weinshenker BG
Neurol Clin 1995 Feb;13(1):119-46
Mayo Clinic, Dept of Neurology, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
UI# 95257896
Abstract

The natural history of MS is highly variable. There is substantial Heterogeneity in the clinical manifestations but, at this point, it is reasonable to consider all idiopathic inflammatory DeMyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System as representing a spectrum of the same disease.

In large populations, 20% to 40% have "Benign Disease," defined as having less than moderate disability after 10 years. Benign is a potentially misleading term because many of these patients subsequently will become disabled.

Half will develop Progressive MS within 10 years and will require some form of walking aid within 15 years following the onset of MS. Survival is not greatly shortened in mildly disabled patients, but the observed mortality is increased four-fold over the general population in patients with advanced disability.

Patients with the greatest risk of disability are those with PP MS and RR patients who are older at onset, have Pyramidal or Cerebellar involvement at onset, and who have frequent or prolonged attacks with incomplete recovery.

The biological basis for the variation in the course of MS is understood only in a very limited way. The short- and long-term course of MS may be determined by different biological variables.

Short-term benefit in clinical trials should not be assumed to indicate long-term reduction in the risk of permanent Disability.

http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/3468/mortality.html#1