Word parts
What it means
An autoimmune disease of the central nervous systemSEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tumThe brain and the spinal cord together.centr/o center-al having to do withFull entry . The immune system attacks myelin, the fatty coat around nerve fibers, leaving scarred patches (sclerosis) in many places, so nerve signals slow or stop. Symptoms depend on where the damage is: tiredness, numbness or tingling, weakness, vision problems, poor balance, muscle stiffness, and bladder or bowel problems. Most people have periods of flare and recovery; it is most often diagnosed in young adults, more often in women.
For the nurse
Help the client save energy, prevent falls and avoid things that bring on symptoms, such as heat, infection and stress. Check swallowing, bladder emptying and skin. Teach about their disease-modifying drugs and the signs of an exacerbationig-zas-er-BAY-shunA time when a long-term disease suddenly gets worse, or its symptoms flare up.Full entry .
At a glance
| Abbreviations | MS (avoid writing "MS" in medication orders, where it is on the Joint Commission's do-not-use list) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | esclerosis múltiple |
| Also written | multiple-sclerosis |
Related terms
-osis
A word ending that means an abnormal condition or process, or an increase.
central nervous system
The brain and the spinal cord together.
exacerbation
A time when a long-term disease suddenly gets worse, or its symptoms flare up.
MS
An abbreviation that can stand for morphine sulfate, magnesium sulfate or multiple sclerosis.