what are the similarities of neuropathy, parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis?

Question

what are the treatment for these diseases?

Answer 1

All those diseases are diseases of the nervous system.

Parkinson's disease (PD) belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The four primary symptoms of PD are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination.

At present, there is no cure for PD, but a variety of medications provide dramatic relief from the symptoms. Usually, patients are given levodopa combined with carbidopa. Carbidopa delays the conversion of levodopa into dopamine until it reaches the brain.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, MS can range from relatively benign to somewhat disabling to devastating, as communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted.

Most people experience their first symptoms of MS between the ages of 20 and 40; the initial symptom of MS is often blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, or even blindness in one eye. Most MS patients experience muscle weakness in their extremities and difficulty with coordination and balance. These symptoms may be severe enough to impair walking or even standing.

There is as yet no cure for MS. Many patients do well with no therapy at all, especially since many medications have serious side effects and some carry significant risks. However, three forms of beta interferon (Avonex, Betaseron, and Rebif) have now been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of relapsing-remitting MS. The FDA also has approved a synthetic form of myelin basic protein, called copolymer I (Copaxone), for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS. Copolymer I has few side effects, and studies indicate that the agent can reduce the relapse rate by almost one third. An immunosuppressant treatment, Novantrone (mitoxantrone), is approved by the FDA for the treatment of advanced or chronic MS.

Hereditary neuropathies are a group of inherited disorders of the peripheral nervous system. Within the group there are 4 subcategories of disorders, including hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, hereditary sensory neuropathy, hereditary motor neuropathy, and hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy. Symptoms of these disorders vary and may include numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, muscle weakness (especially in the distal muscles), scoliosis, thin lower legs, foot deformities, insensitivity to pain, and autonomic symptoms such as impaired sweating, postural hypotension, and skin blotching.

There is no standard course of treatment for hereditary neuropathies. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive and may include orthopedic surgery and bracing to improve mobility, and measures to protect against stress fractures-particularly in the feet and legs. Genetic counseling is available.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Hi ya' Kay! I have had MS for almost 18 years. Many people who have MS live very normal lives. It is not fatal, and it does not attack major organs. It is considered an immunological disease that affects the myelin which is the protective covering on the nerves. Most of us have what is called the relapsing/remitting form of the disease. which means that the symptoms come and go. Most people who have it work, raise families and maintain a social life. Unfortunately, some cases of MS become progressive and very degenerative. This usually takes years to happen if not decades....that is if it becomes degenerative at all. There are medications on the market that slow the progression of the disease and there are many, many more that are in the testing phase now. There are also medications to handle the symptoms. At one time about 75% of people who have this disease would eventually wind up in a wheel chair but now that figure is down to 25%. With the medications coming out that figure will probably continue to drop even more. Yes, this disease can be very benign. Although I have had it for almost two decades, nobody who meets me ever guesses I have it. The National MS Society has many groups that are for the mildly affected because we look fine but due to the disease we do not have the energy or the capabilities of most people BUT we LOOK like everybody else. A Neurologist would tell you that the biggest complaint of people with MS is low energy and poor short term memory. Please don't think of the worst for your Mom or for your cousin. That is the exception not the rule.

Answer 4

Numbness and tingling,memory problems, fatigue , balance problems etc.. Even though there are many more drugs that help some symptoms of all of the above the side effects are the pits.. injectable Interfeirons (chemo drugs) are commonly used for MS patients to slow down the progression same with neuropathy....

Answer 5

In all cases, you're boned.