The exact cause of M.S is still unknown although experiments are taking place at the moment to find out what the cause is.
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 2003, researchers believe that the damage to myelin results from an abnormal response by the body’s immune system.
Autoimmune diseases tend to attack their own tissue.
I researched and found a few points on the 2003 website:
- Most people with M.S are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.
- More women have M.S than men.
- Studies indicate that genetic factors make certain individuals more susceptible than others, but there is no evidence that M.S is directly inherited.
- MS occurs more commonly among people with northern European ancestry, but people of African, Asian and Hispanic backgrounds are not immune.
According to 2002:
MS is the most common nerve disease to develop in young people after birth, and it affects more than 1 million young adults worldwide. It is five times more common in temperate climates than in the tropics, and strikes 50 percent more women than men. Close relatives of a person with MS are eight times more likely than the average person to develop the disease themselves, and children of a person with MS have 30 to 50 times the average risk. However, even though genetic (inherited) factors seem to play a large role in the development of MS, no MS gene has been identified so far. Instead, scientists suspect that MS develops because of the influence of several genes acting together.
Symptoms of MS vary depending on which areas of the brain and spinal cord are affected.
There are many common symptoms. Symptoms are unpredictable and vary form person to person. Many of the symptoms will disappear but others may then re – appear. Common symptoms include: bladder dysfunction, memory and attention problems, emotion problems, pain, fatigue, difficulty in walking, balance problems and numbness or ‘pins and needles’.
Less common symptoms include: headache, hearing loss, itching, seizures, speech and swallowing disorders and tremors.
According to the MS MATTERS MAGAZINE ISSUE 52:
The MS Society is pushing for more MS nurses and other MS specialists. Chief Executive Mike O’Donovan outlines progress so far:
‘ WE are very excited to be able to confirm that the Department of Health has just agreed to fund 30 more MS nurses to being practice in 2004. These new nurses will further underpin the Risk Sharing scheme and serve the wider needs of people with M.S. The MS Society’s regional network played a crucial part in making sure that health services throughout the country lodged successful applications for these new MS nurses.’
There are many diets said to benefit people with MS.
Bernice Chiswell, senior Dietician at Bedford Hospital comments in the MS MATTERS MAGAZINE ISSUE 52:
‘There is a lot of information about diet and MS, particularly on the Internet. I advise people with MS to be wary of diets. I also advise people to consider balance in their diet. If you leave out major food groups, your diet can be low in vitamins and minerals.’
Some facts I found on the Internet on (Multiple Sclerosis International Foundation 2003)
- Inflammation and ultimate loss of myelin causes disruption to nerve transmission and affects many function of the body.
- While the exact cause of MS is not known, much is known about its effect on immune system function, which may be the ultimate cause of the disease.
- MS is not directly hereditary, although genetic susceptibility plays a part in its development.
- Diagnosis of MS is generally between 20 and 40 years of age, although onset may be earlier.
- MS is rarely diagnosed to under 12 and over 55 years of age.
- MS does not significantly affect life span.
- There is a wide range of symptoms. Fatigue is one of the most common.
- The incidence of MS increases in countries further from the equator.
- There is no drug as yet that can cure MS, but treatments are now available which can modify the course of disease.
- Many of the symptoms of MS can be successfully managed and treated.
At this point there is not a specific test to identify or rule out M.S. A series of tests are completed and a diagnosis is made from there.
The ‘National MS Society Website’ explains the diagnostic tests.
Diagnostic Tests may include:
- Evoked potential tests - measure how quickly and accurately a persons nervous system responds to certain stimulation
- Spinal tap- checks spinal fluid for signs of abnormality
The website states that:
Approximately 10 percent of those with MS have a relatively benign form of the illness, the majority of patients suffer from some type of neurological disability. In general, MS is a progressive illness that can last 30 to 40 years, but the degree of progression and eventual disability varies from patient to patient. There is a great hope that newer forms of treatment will have significant long – term effects in improving the lives of MS patients.
Bibliography
2002
2003
2003
MS Matters, November/December 2003, Issue 52, D. Reeves
Action Plan
2nd December 2003
Health Care Project
Identify a suitable topic and produce a plan for a research proposal.
12th January 2004
Advanced Physiology
Describe the composition of blood
20th January 2004
Human Inheritance
Chromosomes and Mendelian inheritance
27th January 2004
Diet and Nutrition
Investigate the function of the major macronutrients and micronutrients in the context of healthy diets.
Examine diet related disease and disorder.
27th February 2004
Equality, Diversity and Rights
I.V.A.
External Assessment
My Hypothesis
- The general public perceive that cannabis will help people with M.S
I hope to do primary research to find out if my hypotheses will be true or false. Primary research involves the collection and analysis of raw data through surveys, experiments, interviews etc. The data will then be analysed and the results or findings will then be evaluated. New knowledge should be produced, because I will gather new information through my direct investigation.
Survey research is based upon asking questions of people. This can be in the form of a questionnaire or an intensive one to one interview.
Questionnaires are usually a paper and pencil exercise that people complete. The completion of a questionnaire can be carried out through a mail drop or a group activity or as a one to one structure interview.
I intend to go into my local triangle area and complete a primary research by using questionnaires.
A questionnaire is a method for the elicitation, recording and collecting of information.
The biggest single advantage is by using a questionnaire it will give me feedback from the point of view of the public. If my questionnaire is reliable then my conclusion will be positive.
I think cannabis would help people with M.S although, I think when I ask the general public they will disagree.
I intend to ask them in my questionnaire, do you think cannabis should be legalised for people with M.S.?
My two main reasons for this topic would be because my mother has the condition and the other being there has been a lot in the media, T.V. radio and papers concerning cannabis and M.S.
I chose this hypothesis, as I am interested in finding the public’s opinions concerning the topic. I believe that my hypothesis is a powerful one to ask the public and I hope that in the near future cannabis will be legalised and people with M.S will no longer have to suffer any pain.
I will approach the general public and carryout this survey but at all times I will be aware of confidentiality. I want to be careful how I approach this topic, as it is a very serious clinical condition. I have no reason to ask anything personal about their lives and I should be cautious when asking questions.
