Multiple Sclerosis and Pain; Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis-
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complicated central nervous system disease that affects up to 400,000 people in the United States and 2.5 million worldwide. Despite intense research, no cure has been found, and current therapies, among them a variety of disease-modifying drugs, are only partly successful in stopping its progression and the chronic disability that accompanies it. Research indicates that the earlier treatment is started in the disease process, the better the effect. It is imperative that community health care providers become educated about the importance of starting treatment earlier in the disease process, and an essential part of that education is to provide MRI scans that actually show what MS can do. In addition, a large number of potential new treatments are being developed that utilize novel mechanisms of action to control the tissue destructive process in MS. However, with these newer treatments come higher risks to the patient; it will be imperative for health care providers to understand the pathophysiology of MS along with the mechanism of action of these therapies in order to educate patients about the benefit/risk ratio of current therapies to treat this disease. Understanding these important concepts will allow health care providers to assist patients in choosing appropriate treatments, leading to better medication utilization and patient care. And one of the best ways to monitor the progress of the disease and the success of any therapy is through MRI scans. Because current therapies are only partly successful in slowing down disease progression, one of the main roles of the nurse, nurse practitioner and physician's assistant is to manage the symptoms of MS and help to empower the patient to improve their quality of life.
Explain the technology of MRI.
Discuss the differential diagnosis of MS and the role of MRI in diagnosing MS.
Describe the use of MRI in monitoring disease activity and progression.
Evaluate the role of MRI in assessing the effectiveness of therapies.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complicated central nervous system disease that affects up to 400,000 people in the United States and 2.5 million worldwide. Despite intense research, no cure has been found, and current therapies, among them a variety of disease-modifying drugs, are only partly successful in stopping its progression and the chronic disability that accompanies it. Research indicates that the earlier treatment is started in the disease process, the better the effect. It is imperative that community health care providers become educated about the importance of starting treatment earlier in the disease process, and an essential part of that education is to provide MRI scans that actually show what MS can do. In addition, a large number of potential new treatments are being developed that utilize novel mechanisms of action to control the tissue destructive process in MS. However, with these newer treatments come higher risks to the patient; it will be imperative for health care providers to understand the pathophysiology of MS along with the mechanism of action of these therapies in order to educate patients about the benefit/risk ratio of current therapies to treat this disease. Understanding these important concepts will allow health care providers to assist patients in choosing appropriate treatments, leading to better medication utilization and patient care. And one of the best ways to monitor the progress of the disease and the success of any therapy is through MRI scans. Because current therapies are only partly successful in slowing down disease progression, one of the main roles of the nurse, nurse practitioner and physician's assistant is to manage the symptoms of MS and help to empower the patient to improve their quality of life.
Explain the technology of MRI.
Discuss the differential diagnosis of MS and the role of MRI in diagnosing MS.
Describe the use of MRI in monitoring disease activity and progression.
Evaluate the role of MRI in assessing the effectiveness of therapies.
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