CASE 1Helen

Olivia Clements, Cade

Mersch, and Julia Calhoun

Introduction of Patient Including

Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of the Patient: tingling, fatigue, depression, vision
issues, balance issues, muscle weakness, and come-and-go
symptoms.
To determine what disease she had, we researched common
neuropathic diseases that share those same symptoms. After
looking at multiple diseases, all of which were similar to the
patients described symptoms, we came to the conclusion that
the symptoms she was showing were also symptoms of Multiple
Sclerosis.

Differential Findings
Three possible diseases:
Bipolar Disorder
Peripheral Neuropathy
Multiple Sclerosis

Bipolar Disease

BPD is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood,

energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day
tasks.

Symptoms of BPD that are shared with the patient are

depression, tiredness, weakness, and the come-and-go of the
symptoms.

We concluded that, because there were many expressed

symptoms that were not covered by BPD, the patient did not
have this disease. Also, over half of all cases of BPD begin
before the adult years, so the possibility that she developed this
disease is unlikely.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral Neuropathy refers to the conditions that result when

nerves that carry messages to and from the brain & spinal cord
are damaged.

Common symptoms of Neuropathy shared with the patient are

tingling and numbness, vision issues, and problems with
balance.

We concluded that, because there were some symptoms

expressed that were not common symptoms of Neuropathy, the
patient more than likely did not have this disease.

Multiple Sclerosis

MS is a disease in which the myelin sheath covering the axon of

a neuron is damaged, causing the signal transmission to be
spotty, or non-existent. We researched a lot about this disease
and its symptoms, and we concluded that the patient had MS.
All of the symptoms that she was showing were part of MS.

Tests used in diagnosis:

MRIs of the brain and spinal cord (confirmation)
Lumbar puncture (evaluates spinal fluid)

Evoked potential testing (abnormalities: optic nerves and

CNS)

Multiple Sclerosis Continued

Prognosis

Multiple sclerosis will not affect Helen's longevity, as much as it

will affect her quality of life. Except for extreme cases, patients
with MS live normal lifespans and die of normal causes. Since
there is no cure, Helen will have to contend with the symptoms
of MS for the rest of her life. She will have to change her
lifestyle, and physical therapy is recommended. MS can be
unpredictable, but due to her early diagnosis Helen has a
significant head start on treating her disease. With regular
exercise, therapy, and prescription treatment, Helen will live a
normal life only mildly affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

Errors in Communication

The brain and spinal cord are severely affected.

Occipital Lode- impaired vision

Brainstem- can restrict certain body function

Parietal Lobe- memory loss

Cerebellum- can get a tumor

MS happens when your immune system attacks a fatty material

called myelin, which wraps around your nerve fibers to protect
them. Without this outer shell, your nerves become damaged.
Scar tissue may form. Your motor neurons cant send the
signals to move your muscles.

Biomedical Professions

Neurophysiologist- A neurophysiologist is where it all starts for helping

Helen. A neurophysiologist will assist a doctor in understanding how
brain malfunctions occur, and what happens when they do. NPs are
specialists that understand the relationship between the cognitive
functions of the body, and the brain. Before Helen can be given
treatment, a NP must first determine what is happening to her. Based
on the symptoms that she experiences, and possibly some brain scans,
A NP can create a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Immunopathologist- After Helen is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, an

Immunopathologist is the next step to treatment. Multiple Sclerosis
can't be cured, but a Immunopathologist can offer prescription drugs to
help suppress the disease. Immunopathology is a specialized form of
pathology that specifically deals with the immune system. With MS, the
immune system eats away at the protective covering of the nerves. An
immunopathologist will most likely suggest the patient to take steroids
like Medrol, or other prescriptions that suppress the immune system.
This also comes with obvious risks of its own.

Biomedical Professionals
Continued

Physical therapist- Helen reports dizziness, loss of balance,

fatigue, and weakness. All of these symptoms, caused by
multiple Sclerosis or not, can be effectively treated by a
physical therapist. A PTs goal is to bring a patient back to good
physical health. They do this by creating a care plan based on
the diagnosis of a patient (perhaps created by a
neurophysiologist). PTs guide patients through exercise,
specifically focusing on the areas that they may be weak in
depending on what afflictions they may have. Helen will
probably have to see a physical therapist for the rest of her life.

Treatment

There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis at this time. But,

there are treatments that may slow the disease. The goal of
treatment is to control symptoms and help you maintain a
normal quality of life.

Examples

Steroids to decrease the severity of attacks

Medicines to control symptoms such as muscle spasms, urinary

problems, fatigue, or mood problems

Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and

support groups

A planned exercise program early in the course of the disorder

Vitamin D or other supplements

Reduce stress

Sources

Bipolar Disorder. (2014). Retrieved October 8, 2015, from

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Exams and Tests for Diagnosis. (2015). Retrieved October 8, 2015,
from http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/tc/multiple-sclerosis-ms-exams-and-tests

Multiple Sclerosis. (2015). Retrieved October 8, 2015, from

http://www.brainfacts.org/diseases-disorders/diseases-a-to-z-from-ninds/multiple-sclerosis/

Peripheral Neuropathy - Symptoms, Types and Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy - from

WebMD. (2015). Retrieved October 8, 2015, from
http://www.webmd.com/brain/understanding-peripheral-neuropathy-basics

Benefits of Physical Therapy for MS. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2015, from
http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/guide/multiple-sclerosis-physical-therapy

ExploreHealthCareers.org. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2015, from

http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/career/70/physical_therapist

Department of Pathology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2015, from

http://path.upmc.edu/divisions/clinimm.html

Neuropsychology Careers. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2015, from

http://careersinpsychology.org/becoming-a-neuropsychologist/