Causes and Definition
Treatment
Symptoms-Diagnosis
Statistics
DH Care
100
What type of disorder is multiple sclerosis? What does it mean?
An autoimmune disorder. This means that the T cells that usually ward off bacteria and viruses atatck the brain and spinal cord, damaging the covering of the nerves.
100
Is there a cure for mulitple sclerosis? If so what is it?
There is no cure for multiple sclerosis but there are various medical interventions that have been proven to help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
100
When do symptoms usually start manifesting themselves? *at what age
Usually between the ages of 20-40 but a person can get multiple sclerosis at any point in there life.
100
How much more likely are women to get multiple sclerosis than men?
Women are 2-3 times more likely than men to get multiple sclerosis.
100

What is an important thing to remember when talking to a person with multiple sclerosis?

Talk slowly and allow them time to answer as many people with MS have cognitive difficulties that would affect their ability to form thoughts and remember things.

200
What is the name of the part of the nerve that gets damaged in people who have multiple sclerosis?
Myelin Sheath
200
What is one type of treatment that can help improve quality of life?
Physical Therapy
200
What are 4 symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
Blurred vision, blader/bowel problems such as urinary incontinece, loss of balance, clumsiness, weakness in an arm or leg, major depression, fatigue.
200
How many people out of a 1000 are said to be affected by multiple sclerosis?
1
200
Is care for a person with multiple sclerosis always the same?
No, people with MS can vary greatly in their symptoms from person to person and from time to time depending on the type of MS.
300
What type of disease is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and usually progressive disease.
300
What types of drugs have been found to help alter the direction of the diesease/ alleviate symptoms?
drugs such as Betaseron, Avonex, Rebif, Copaxone, Tysabri, and Novantrone
300
What type of tests are used to diagnose multiple sclerosis?
MRI, Spinal tap, evoked potentials
300
How many people in the world are living with multiple sclerosis?
About 2.5 million people worldwide.
300

List 3 considerations when planning dental hygiene care for patients with MS

medical consultation, medications, orofacial/oral manifestations, visual disturbances, changes in motor function

400
Although it is unknown what causes multiple sclerosis what are 2 reasons that scientists have found could lead to multiple sclerosis?
Genetic factors, there is no one gene that has been found yet but the closer the relation to a person with multiple sclerosis increases your chance of getting the disease. Environmental factors, expecially in the first 10-15 years of life.
400
What effect are these drugs aimed to have?
They are used to help reduce the amount and severity of attacks, supress T cells from damaging the myelin, and reducing inflamation of the myelin.
400
Why is it so difficult to diagnose multiple sclerosis?
Everyone experiences different symptoms at different times and to varying degrees. In addition, there is no one test that can tell you with complete certainty that a person has multiple sclerosis.
400
Multiple sclerosis is about 5 times more likely in what type of climate/region.
In temperate climates such as the northern United States, Canada, and Europe
400

What are oral/orofacial manifestations of MS?

TMJ disorder, Facial Palsy, Trigeminal neuralgia usually bilateral, Dysphagia, Females have twice the risk of periodontal disease, Immunosuppressants may result in aphthous ulcers or Candida, Higher caries risk and biofilm levels

500
List 2 things that are affected in people with multiple sclerosis. Why?
Body movement because the damaged myelin mean that the messages being sent throughout the body will be negativley affected. (spasms can occur) Various body functions are also affected.
500
What have steroids been shown to do if used as part of a persons treatment?
Steroids have been shown to shorten the duration of acute attacks.
500
What is a large part deciding the diagnosis for a person?
A complete health/ neuroligical history, and a detalied discussion of a persons symptoms.
500

Relapsing-remitting accounts for ___% of cases

85

500

Immunosuppressants and other MS medications may result in _______, so a white blood cell count is essential prior to care.

neutropenia

M
e
n
u