Demyelinated not Destroyed

Not everyone has a medical degree or otherwise understands medical terminology. Here is a list of definitions of commonly used medical terms and abbreviations on this blog.

I try my best to define the terms in the simplest way possible so everyone can understand them. If for some reason there is a term that you don’t understand, let me know and I’ll explain and/or redefine it.

I will be adding definitions to this list as I come across them. If there are any definitions that anyone thinks should be added, please let me know and I’ll include them.

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acute - Sharp or severe. When used medically, it often refers to a sudden onset of symptoms or a disease.

autoimmune system - A response by the body’s immune system against it’s own tissues or cells. Allergies are an autoimmune response.central nervous system - The portion of the nervous system that contains the brain and the spinal cord.

chronic - Of a long duration. When used medically, it often refers to a disease or disorder that progresses slowly over time.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyeneuropathy - One of many diseases that cause demyelination. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, loss of reflexes, and loss of balance among other symptoms. It is believed to be an autoimmune disease. It is considered the acute form of Guillian-Barre Syndrome. It is sometimes referred to as CIDP or Chronic Relapsing Polyneuropathy.

CIDP - Abbreviation for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy.

Chronic Relapsing Polyneuropathy - Another name for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy or CIDP.

cognitive - Relating to the ability to think

demyelinate - To damage or destroy the myelin sheath that protects nerve endings.

EMG - Abbreviation of electromyography. It is a test that is done to determine the amount of damage various muscles have received.

gait - walking

GBS - Abbreviation for Guillian-Barre Syndrome

Guillian-Barre Syndrome - One of many diseases that can cause demyelination. Possibly triggered by the flu virus, it can cause rapid, widespread tingling, numbness, weakness, and occasional paralysis among other symptoms. It is the acute version of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy.

IgG - Another term for IVIg

IVIg - Intravenous Immunoglobin. A treatment for demyelinating diseases, specifically CIDP and GBS, that involves infusing protein heavy blood plasma in an attempt to regulate a patient’s immune system.

lesion - An area of past damage to the central nervous system. MRIs and spinal taps are usually the tests ordered to determine if any lesions are present.

lumbar puncture - The technical term for a spinal tap. A small, sterile needed is inserted into the back in order to collect cerebral spinal fluid.

Multiple Sclerosis - One of many diseases that causes demyelination. Symptoms include muscle spasms, tingling, weakness, numbness, and fatigue among other symptoms. It is also believed to be an autoimmune disease. While not hereditary, it is suspected people can be born with a genetic predisposition to developing the disease.

MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging. When dealing with demyelinating diseases, MRIs are often ordered in order to determine if there are any lesions present in the brain or spinal cord.

MS - Abbreviation for Multiple Sclerosis

myelin - A fatty covering that protects the nerves and aids in the body’s ability to send and receive messages from the central nervous system.

myelin sheath - A fatty covering that protects nerve endings. Demyelinating diseases attack the myelin sheath, causing damage. Damage to the myelin sheath can slow or prevent electrical messages being sent back and forth from the central nervous system. Symptoms of this kind of damage include tingling, muscle spasms, numbness, and weakness.

nerve conduction study - A test done to help determine the amount of damage nerve endings have received. It involves receiving a series of small, electrical shocks that causes the muscles in the part of the body being tested to contract. The amount of time it takes for the muscles to contract is analyzed. Any delay from what is considered normal indicates nerve damage.

neurology - The science of nerves and the nervous system.

neurologist - A doctor who studies and practices neurology.

neuropathy - Any disease of the nervous system.

PE - An abbreviated term for plasmapheresis

peripheral nervous system - The portion of the nervous system that does not include the brain and the spinal cord. For example, the nerves and nerve endings in the arms and legs.

plasmapheresis - A treatment that involves filtering out the harmful antibodies in a patient’s bloodstream that causes demyelination.

protocol - A set of procedures. It’s often used to describe what tests need to be performed in order to diagnose a demyelinating diseases.

spinal tap - The more common term for lumbar puncture.

VEP - Visual Evoked Potential. This test is done to determine any damage to the nerves in the eye. Electrodes are placed on top of the head. The patient is then instructed to watch images on a television type screen. The amount of time it takes for the image flashed on the screen to register in the optical nerve endings is measured. Any delay of what is considered normal indicates damage.

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