MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Course overview

Mutiple sclerosis is a chronic, progressive disease of the central nervous system caused by damage to the protective myelin sheath covering neurons. These lesions, or plaques, disrupt electrical impulses from neurons in the CNS to implementation sites (e.g., muscles in the arms and legs). This disruption can affect mobility, elimination, energy, vision and other functions. It is estimated that there are more than 500,000 people with MS in the United States and Canada, and more than 2.1 million worldwide. This module discusses diagnosis, symptom management, treatment and nursing care of patients with MS.