What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis, commonly referred to as MS, is an immune-mediated neurological condition characterized by the demyelination of nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord. MS is confusing and complex...so let me break it down. Our central and peripheral nervous system consists of our brain, spinal cord, sensory neurons, ganglia (clusters of neurons) and nerves that connect to one another and to the central nervous system. Think communication! Remember the game telephone? The one where a person creates a phrase and whispers it into the ear of the person next to them. They cannot repeat the phrase (and this phrase can be complex) so the second player needs to listen carefully. The second player then whispers the phrase to the third player, which whispers it to the fourth. The goal of this game is to have the last player repeat the initial message that the first player sent down the line.

Now lets get back to MS. This idea can demonstrate the disease process. The first phrase is the message that the initial neuron in the CNS (brain & spinal cord) is trying to send out. The whispers represent the message traveling down the axon (nerve fiber) of the neuron. This is where things can get tricky. In MS, the myelin sheath (the cover that surrounds many nerve cells and helps to increase the speed by which information travels along the nerve) degenerates or breaks down, so these messages may have a hard time reaching their target. This breakdown occurs because the immune system mistakenly attacks the meylin (this is why it is considered an immune-mediated process). 

Because these messages are used to communicate all over the body, MS can complicate a number of functions, from muscle movement to balance to vision to skin sensations to mood to problems with bladder function.

Digest this information and re-cap with the following video. Next time we will focus on why people may acquire this disease, who is most at risk, complications of the disease and treatments.

References:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS

How to Play Telephone

By James Holloway, eHow Contributor

- last updated November 12, 2014

•  Pin
•  Share
•  Tweet
•  Stumble
•  Share

The tension of the game can make it even harder for players to remember phrases.

Most of us think that we understand and remember everything we hear, but when we're tested we find out that the truth is very different. The classic party game Telephone brings this to light, often with hilarious results. In addition to producing laughs, Telephone can help children or people learning English develop their active listening skills.

Other People Are Reading

• Telephone Game Words for Work Use
• Telephone Games for Kids

1. Getting Started

   • To play Telephone, you'll need a group of players. More is better, but a group of more than 10 players can make the game too long. If you have a large group, consider splitting your players into teams. Choose a phrase for the team to use or let them select one themselves. Phrases should be complicated, with plenty of detail and unfamiliar words -- for instance, try using a phrase such as "Mahogany tables don't look good painted fuchsia." The phrase should never be a familiar expression; these are too easy to remember. Only one player should know what the phrase is.

   Starting the Whispers

   • The player who created or received the phrase starts the game by whispering it into the ear of another player. She cannot repeat the phrase, so the second player needs to listen carefully. The second player then whispers the phrase to the third player, who whispers it to the fourth, and so on until the last player.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_2044551_play-telephone.html

The player who created or received the phrase starts the game by whispering it into the ear of another player. She cannot repeat the phrase, so the second player needs to listen carefully. The second player then whispers the phrase to the third player, who whispers it to the fourth, and so on until the last player.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_2044551_play-telephone.html

player who created or received the phrase starts the game by whispering it into the ear of another player. She cannot repeat the phrase, so the second player needs to listen carefully. The second player then whispers the phrase to the third player, who whispers it to the fourth, and so on until the last player

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_2044551_play-telephone.html

player who created or received the phrase starts the game by whispering it into the ear of another player. She cannot repeat the phrase, so the second player needs to listen carefully. The second player then whispers the phrase to the third player, who whispers it to the fourth, and so on until the last player

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_2044551_play-telephone.html