About this topic
The nervous system is made up of nerves, the spinal cord, and the brain. The nerves in your childs body use the senses of hearing, sight, taste, smell, and touch to send messages to the brain. The brain reads that message. It sends a return message down through the nerves back to the body. This tells your child's body how to react. Such as, if your child touches a hot pan, the nerves sense the heat and send a message to your child's brain. The brain reads the message and sends a return message to your child's muscles to let go of the hot pan. This happens very quickly. ‚
Multiple sclerosis is an illness that is also called MS. It is where the body attacks the outside lining of the nerves called the myelin sheath. When this outer lining is harmed, the messages being sent in the nerves do not travel as fast. Other times, the message is fully blocked. Doctors do not know why this happens. At this time, there is no cure. ‚
The effects and progress of MS vary in each person. Most often in children, the signs start and then go away. Then, they come back again. Treatment is done to control the signs of MS. This includes drugs and physical therapy. Not treating this illness may cause problems that get worse over time. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Your child may need help with walking and balance.
- Your doctor may give your child crutches, walking canes, or foot braces to help with walking problems.
- Your child may have problems with bladder control. Clear the hallway going to the restroom. This will prevent your child from accidentally bumping on things or slipping when in a rush to go to the bathroom.
- Have your child sit in a comfortable chair that can support the back. This may also help with balance problems when sitting.
- Your child may need help with communication and staying safe.
- Keep a pen and paper or any communication tools near your child always. These will help your child talk if there are speech problems.
- Your child may have problems doing simple movements like eating and writing. Ask your doctor or therapist for special knives and forks that may help with eating. There are also special tools to make writing easier.
- Avoid giving hot baths and showers if your child has problems with heat. Cool down by giving your child cool baths or lowering the thermostat.
- Keep rugs, easy to break house displays, and cutting tools in a safe cabinet to avoid mishaps.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed.
- Your doctor may send your child to other doctors to help watch the illness.
- Your child may also need to see a physical therapist (PT). The PT will teach exercises to help your child get back strength and motion.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Treat MS
- Control nerve swelling
- Help with pain
- Control the effects of MS drugs like upset belly, bladder infections, loose stools, belly pain, and low mood
Will physical activity be limited?
- Make sure your child gets lots of rest. Have your child sleep when feeling tired. Avoid tiring activities. Allow your childs body enough time to get better after therapy.
- Your doctor will have your child do light exercises, like stretching, each morning. This will build muscle strength and tone and will prevent stiffness.
- Your child may have to limit activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for your child.
What changes to diet are needed?
Ask your doctor if your child needs to follow a special diet. Your child may need to take extra care with foods that can cause choking. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Illness can return
- Eyesight problems
- Memory problems
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Long-lasting problems with movement
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Problems seeing like blurriness or double vision
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Muscle weakness or shakiness
- Problems with coordination and balance
- Numbness or tingling on one side or the bottom half of your body
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Join a support group that can help you and your child cope with this illness.
- Let your family and friends know about your childs disease and how they can help.
- Water therapy programs can be helpful with exercising.
- Complimentary therapies such as massage, yoga, and eating a balanced diet can help signs.
- Talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot for your child.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you ways to help my child with walking and balance.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has more muscle weakness.
Where can I learn more?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society ‚
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/pediatric-ms/index.aspx ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/15/viewAbstract ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/kid/grownup/conditions/ms.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚