Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease and claims the lives of an estimated 2.5 million people in the world. In Australia, it has been researched that the further away a person is from the equator, the more likely is the person is to develop multiple sclerosis. For instance, in the far north of Queensland the disease occurs 12 in every 100000 people, while in New South Wales, it rises to 36 people out of 100000, and even higher in Tasmania with 76 people out of 100000. Although multiple sclerosis mostly affects people in their twenties or thirties, people of any age can develop this disease. With improvements in technology over the years, multiple sclerosis can also be diagnosed in young children and senior citizens.
Based solely on life …show more content…
In some cases, symptoms may recover while others may linger and develop over time. It is important to know that no two people will have identical symptoms. Early signs and symptoms that indicate multiple sclerosis, include blurred vision, imbalance in coordination, numbness, and weakness in arms or legs. Common symptoms that usually occur later, include unusual sensations, such as pins and needles, numbness, itching or burning pains. Additionally, around 8 out of 10 patients experience constipation and bladder problems, causing patients to urinate more often. Multiple sclerosis can also cause muscle spasms and weakness which can make patients harder to walk. Moreover, dizziness and fatigue are also other common problems (Ragonese et al., …show more content…
Studies have demonstrated that MS patients will have a much slower information processing speed and defects in memory. Damage in the short-term and long-term memory is present in the earliest stages of this disease as patients may be unable to retain or recall new information (Chiaravalloti and DeLuca, 2008). The atrophy of grey and white matter in the brain is believed to be responsible for cognitive dysfunction (De Sa et al., 2011). Some cognitive functions that also decline, due to MS, include being verbally fluent, the ability to conceptual reason, and maintain
Based solely on life …show more content…
In some cases, symptoms may recover while others may linger and develop over time. It is important to know that no two people will have identical symptoms. Early signs and symptoms that indicate multiple sclerosis, include blurred vision, imbalance in coordination, numbness, and weakness in arms or legs. Common symptoms that usually occur later, include unusual sensations, such as pins and needles, numbness, itching or burning pains. Additionally, around 8 out of 10 patients experience constipation and bladder problems, causing patients to urinate more often. Multiple sclerosis can also cause muscle spasms and weakness which can make patients harder to walk. Moreover, dizziness and fatigue are also other common problems (Ragonese et al., …show more content…
Studies have demonstrated that MS patients will have a much slower information processing speed and defects in memory. Damage in the short-term and long-term memory is present in the earliest stages of this disease as patients may be unable to retain or recall new information (Chiaravalloti and DeLuca, 2008). The atrophy of grey and white matter in the brain is believed to be responsible for cognitive dysfunction (De Sa et al., 2011). Some cognitive functions that also decline, due to MS, include being verbally fluent, the ability to conceptual reason, and maintain