Browse by Condition
Conditions in the database
Use the links on the left hand side to navigate to the individual reports depending on the condition.
Multiple sclerosis
Background
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. The variable distribution of demyelination and axonal loss can produce any combination of signs and symptoms that might occur from lesions in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves (Lublin and Reingold 2003). MS is characterised by inflammation, myelin damage specific areas of nerve fibre loss know as lesions, or diffuse nerve fibre loss known as atrophy. Between 3 and 7 people per 100,000 population are diagnosed with MS every year, and about 100 to 120 people per 100,000 population have MS (NICE 2003). There is no cure for MS. Although much attention has been placed on recent advances in drug therapies, available drug treatment remains limited in its efficacy and many agents are poorly tolerated, often due to adverse side effects or because they will exacerbate co-existing symptoms (Thompson 2001). A significant proportion of people with relapsing remitting MS (approximately 65%) will develop a secondary form.
The multiplicity of symptoms which arises as a direct and indirect consequence of the disease means that the physical, cognitive and psychosocial problems experienced are wide ranging, variable, unpredictable and often complex. MS is a chronic condition, consequently people can have symptoms for many decades. They may evolve over several decades and last a lifetime. Strategies to combat this potential myriad of problems encompass a number of different approaches including symptomatic management and the provision of rehabilitation and respite services (Freeman and Thompson 2003). Alongside these more conventional approaches, many people with MS also consider the use of complementary therapies to help manage their symptoms. Some people also believe that some interventions (for example dietary interventions) also affect the disease course.
Search terms
multiple sclerosis or multiple sclerosis (exp) or neuromyelitis optica or devic
Further resources
NICE Guidelines for the treatment and management of MS: www.nice.org.uk
Multiple Sclerosis Society: www.mssociety.org.uk
Stroke
Background
Search terms
Stroke terms:
stroke or cerebrovascular accident (exp) or cerebrovascular disorders (do not exp) or brain infarction or brain infarction (exp) or cerebral infarction or
cerebral infarction (exp) or cva or apoplexy or poststroke or post-stroke or cerebrovascular or cerebro-vascular or cerebral vascular
Further resources
References and resources for further information
ASA (American Stroke Association)
http://www.strokeassociation.org
Cochrane Stroke Group
http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clabout/articles/STROKE/frame.html
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (USA)
http://www.ninds.nih.org
Stroke Unit Trialists' Collaboration.(2001) Organised inpatient (stroke unit) care for stroke. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2001, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD000197. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000197.
http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD000197/frame.html
The Stroke Association (UK)
http://www.stroke.org.uk
Created on | 29 April, 2011 - 11:52 |