MS

                       Over at Shepherd Center there are many different patients that come in. For example there are, those who have experienced brain injury and spinal cord injury. A third group that comes to Shepherd are those who have MS, or multiple sclerosis.

MS is where the body’s immune system is directed against the body’s central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The immune system then attacks the body’s myelin, which is the fatty substance surrounding the nerve fibers. The disease is thought to be triggered by environmental factors in MS susceptible patients.

                Fatigue is probably the number one problem for people who have this disease. There are other problems like balance, pain, swallowing problems, vision, speech, etc.  Remember that every wire in the brain or spinal cord has insulation.

                It’s a lot like brain injury in which every story or occurrence is very unique. The course of the disease may also be very different. With MS, the brain’s connections with other organs are lost .  

    It’s a disease that is just  terrifying to me. The exact cause of it is unknown and there is currently no cure.