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

4 Comments

1. CC says:

   December 6, 2009 at 5:25 am

   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.
2. Hypnopope Rides Again! says:

   December 6, 2009 at 5:25 am

   In all cases, you’re boned.
3. oso_loco1961 says:

   December 6, 2009 at 5:25 am

   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….