BIOS 252 Week 2 Case Study: Multiple Sclerosis

BIOS 252 Week 2 Case Study: Multiple Sclerosis.

Name

Chamberlain University

BIOS-252 Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab

Prof. Name

Date

Week 2 Case Study: Multiple Sclerosis

Required Resources

Read and review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook
Weekly Concepts
A minimum of one scholarly source

Scenario/Summary

A 30-year-old female with multiple sclerosis (MS) has come for her routine checkup with her neurologist. Her first signs and symptoms appeared several years earlier but were not concerning initially. The only symptom she experienced was a tingling sensation that caused mild discomfort, which later subsided. However, the situation became worrisome when the sensation evolved into pain and tingling. During each cycle, she began to lose coordination and, over time, never fully recovered from the previous flare.

Deliverables

Answer the following questions and save your responses in a Microsoft Word document. Ensure that a scholarly resource is provided in APA format to support your answers.

What cellular structure is degenerating and rebuilding in MS?
In multiple sclerosis, the cellular structures that degenerate are the myelin sheath and oligodendrocytes, which are replaced by hardened scar tissue. This damage interrupts nerve conduction, affecting parts of the central nervous system. When the nerve covering is damaged, the transmission of nerve signals either stops or slows down (Saladin, 2019).
On the other hand, the neural stem cells (NSCs) in the central nervous system are responsible for rebuilding. These cells produce neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and other myelin-producing cells, helping to repair damaged tissue (Saladin, 2019).
Does this explain the progression we see with the signs and symptoms? Explain why.
Yes, the degeneration and rebuilding of the myelin sheath and neural stem cells in MS explain the progression of the signs and symptoms. As the nerve conduction is disturbed, it affects parts of the central nervous system. These disturbances are often associated with common MS symptoms, including double vision, blindness, speech defects, neurosis, tremors, and numbness (Myelin, 2022).
When there are issues with neural tissue like this, why do they often look into the eyes?
When neural tissue issues arise, doctors often examine the eyes because MS affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. MS causes the immune system to attack the myelin sheath, which insulates the nerves. Symptoms like double vision, color loss, or blindness are common. The inflammation and damage to the optic nerve, known as optic neuritis, can cause eye pain that worsens with movement and is one of the first signs of MS (Saladin, 2019).
Assign the following early symptoms to either the sensory, motor, or autonomic nervous system. Then, describe how MS would cause these symptoms.

BIOS 252 Week 2 Case Study: Multiple Sclerosis.

Early Symptoms	Sensory, Motor, or Autonomic Nervous System	How MS would cause this symptom
Dysarthria	Motor (speech system)	In MS, nerve conduction within the central nervous system is disrupted. When speech is affected, it may result in dysarthria, which can range from minor difficulty to trouble articulating words. This speech problem is due to nerve damage, typically manifesting as weakness or a lack of coordination in the muscles used for speaking (Myelin, 2022).
Paresthesia	Sensory	MS causes the immune system to attack the myelin sheath that protects the nerves. This leads to symptoms such as numbness and tingling in various parts of the body (Myelin, 2022).
Constipation	Autonomic Nervous System	Constipation is a common symptom in people with MS. MS can interfere with nerve signals between the brain and the rest of the body, including those that control bowel movements. Additionally, MS may prevent the pelvic floor muscles from relaxing, which is necessary for the body to expel stool (Myelin, 2022).

BIOS 252 Week 2 Case Study: Multiple Sclerosis.

References

Myelin. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (2022). Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Definition-of-MS/Myelin
Saladin, K. (2019). Anatomy and Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill.