Scler Health Dictionary

A chronic, usually progressive disease of the central nervous system, with the gradual patchy disorganization of the protective myelin cells. It is almost certainly an auto-immune disorder, although viral infections sometimes seem to initiate the condition, and physical trauma is often seen to anomalously precede the first symptoms.... multiple sclerosis

Inflammation of the sclera... scleritis

This term means literally hardening, and is applied to conditions in which portions of organs harden and lose their function as the result of an excessive production of CONNECTIVE TISSUE. The term is especially applied to a change of this type taking place in the nervous system. (See MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS)).... sclerosis

See EYE.... sclera

A rare autoimmune disease. Scleroderma circumscriptum (morphoea) affects the skin, usually of the trunk, producing indurated plaques which resolve over many years. The more serious systemic form of scleroderma usually begins with RAYNAUD’S DISEASE, eventually producing a deforming hardening and clawing of the hands. Later the face and sometimes the internal organs, particularly the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, may be affected.... scleroderma

A treatment that involves injecting varicose veins (see VEINS, DISEASES OF) with a sclerosing ?uid. This causes ?brosis of the lining of the vein and its eventual obliteration. Sclerotherapy is also used to treat varicose veins in the legs, anus (HAEMORRHOIDS) and at the junction of the OESOPHAGUS with the stomach.... sclerotherapy

Also called epiloia: a rare inherited disease transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. EPILEPSY in childhood is often the ?rst manifestation (see INFANTILE SPASMS), although ovoid hypopigmented macules (‘ash leaf patches’) in the skin may be detected in infancy. Later an ACNE-like eruption of the face (adenoma sebaceum), ?brous outgrowths around the nails and ?brous plaques on the lower back (shagreen patch) can all occur. Half of those affected have learning diffculties and behaviour problems, and autistic symptoms may occur (see AUTISM).

Characteristic white streaks appear on the optic fundi (see EYE). Molecular genetic testing can identify up to 90 per cent of individuals with a tuberin gene. Genetic counselling of families is helpful. Relatives of those with this condition can obtain help and guidance from the Tuberous Sclerosis Association of Great Britain.... tuberous sclerosis

See MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS).... disseminated sclerosis

A rare complication of MEASLES due to infection of the brain with the measles virus. It develops 2–18 years after the onset of the measles, and is characterised by mental deterioration leading on to CONVULSIONS, COMA and death. The annual incidence in Britain is about one per million of the childhood population. The risk of its developing is 5–25 times greater after measles than after measles vaccination (see MMR VACCINE; IMMUNISATION).... subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Softening of the sclera, commonly a complication of scleritis, especially scleritis of rheumatoid arthritis.... scleromalacia

Also known as scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disorder that can affect many organs and tissues, particularly the skin, arteries, kidneys, lungs, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and

joints. The condition is 3 times as common in women and is most likely to appear between the age of 30 and 50.

The number and severity of symptoms varies. The most common symptom is Raynaud’s phenomenon. Also common are changes in the skin, especially of the face and fingers, which becomes shiny, tight, and thickened, leading to difficulty with movements. Other parts of the body may also be affected, leading to difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, palpitations, high blood pressure, joint pain, or muscle weakness. Progression of scleroderma is often rapid in the first few years and then slows down or even stops. In a minority of people, degeneration is rapid, and leads to death from heart failure, respiratory failure, or kidney failure.

There is no cure for scleroderma, but many of the symptoms can be relieved.... systemic sclerosis

Roxb. ex G. Don.

Synonym: G. scabrophylla Roxb. G. obliqua auct. non-Juss.

Family: Tiliaceae.

Habitat: Sub-Himalayan tract and outer hills from Kumaon to Bhutan up to 1,200 m and in Assam

Ayurvedic: Parushaka (related species), Dhanvana (related species)

Siddha/Tamil: Kattu Kadali.

Folk: Jangali Phaalsaa.

Action: Root—emollient, bechic. Used in irritable conditions of the intestines and bladder.... grewia sclerophylla

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease of the BRAIN and SPINAL CORD, which, although slow in its onset, in time may produce marked symptoms such as PARALYSIS and tremors (see TREMOR), and may ultimately result in a severely disabled invalid. The disorder consists of hardened patches, from the size of a pin-head to that of a pea or larger, scattered here and there irregularly through the brain and spinal cord. Each patch is made up of a mass of the CONNECTIVE TISSUE (neuroglia), which should be present only in su?cient amount to bind the nerve-cells and ?bres together. In the earliest stage, the insulating sheaths (MYELIN) of the nerve-?bres in the hardened patches break up, are absorbed, and leave the nerve-?bres bare, the connective tissue being later formed between these.

Cause Although this is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system in Europe – there are around 50,000 affected individuals in Britain alone – the cause is still not known. The disease comes on in young people (onset being rare after the age of 40), apparently without previous illness. The ratio of women-to-men victims is 3:2. It is more common in ?rst and second children than in those later in birth order, and in small rather than big families. There may be a hereditary factor for MS, which could be an autoimmune disorder: the body’s defence system attacks the myelin in the central nervous system as if it were a ‘foreign’ tissue.

Symptoms These depend greatly upon the part of the brain and cord affected by the sclerotic patches. Temporary paralysis of a limb, or of an eye muscle, causing double vision, and tremors upon exertion, ?rst in the affected parts, and later in all parts of the body, are early symptoms. Sti?ness of the lower limbs causing the toes to catch on small irregularities in the ground and trip the person in walking, is often an annoying symptom and one of the ?rst to be noticed. Great activity is shown in the re?ex movements obtained by striking the tendons and by stroking the soles of the feet. The latter re?ex shows a characteristic sign (Babinski sign) in which the great toe bends upwards and the other toes spread apart as the sole is stroked, instead of the toes collectively bending downwards as in the normal person. Tremor of the eye movements (nystagmus) is usually found. Trembling handwriting, interference with the functions of the bladder, giddiness, and a peculiar ‘staccato’ or ‘scanning’ speech are common symptoms at a later stage. Numbness and tingling in the extremities occur commonly, particularly in the early stages of the disease. As the disease progresses, the paralyses, which were transitory at ?rst, now become con?rmed, often with great rigidity in the limbs. In many patients the disease progresses very slowly.

People with multiple sclerosis, and their relatives, can obtain help and guidance from the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Another helpful organisation is the Multiple Sclerosis Resources Centre. Those with sexual or marital problems arising out of the illness can obtain information from SPOD (Association to Aid the Sexual and Personal Relationships of People with a Disability). (See APPENDIX 2: ADDRESSES: SOURCES OF INFORMATION, ADVICE, SUPPORT AND SELFHELP.)

Treatment is di?cult, because the most that can be done is to lead a life as free from strain as possible, to check the progress of the disease. The use of INTERFERON beta seems to slow the progress of MS and this drug is licensed for use in the UK for patients with relapsing, remitting MS over two years, provided they can walk unaided – a controversial restriction on this (expensive) treatment. CORTICOSTEROIDS may be of help to some patients.

The NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL EXCELLENCE (NICE) ruled in 2001 that the use of the drugs interferon beta and glatiramer acetate for patients with multiple sclerosis was not cost-e?ective but recommended that the Department of Health, the National Assembly for Wales and the drug manufacturers should consider ways of making the drugs available in a cost-e?ective way. Subsequently the government said that it would consider funding a ‘risk-sharing’ scheme in which supply of drugs to patients would be funded only if treatment trials in individuals with MS showed that they were e?ective.

The Department of Health has asked NICE to assess two CANNABIS derivatives as possible treatments for multiple sclerosis and the relief of post-operative pain. Trials of an under-thetongue spray and a tablet could, if successsful, lead to the two drugs being available around 2005.

It is important to keep the nerves and muscles functioning, and therefore the patient should remain at work as long as he or she is capable of doing it, and in any case should exercise regularly.... multiple sclerosis (ms)

Sw.

Family: Scrophulariaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, up to an altitude of 900 m, except in acrid areas in the West.

English: Scleria.

Action: Plant—antinephritic. Root—decoction is given after parturition. Young tops—given to children for enlarged stomach.

The roots of Scleria biflora Roxb. smell strongly of camphor or cajeput.

The fruits of S. levis are used for cough and stomach disorders.

A decoction of the sedge of S. per- gracilis (Nees) Kunth (the Himalayas from Garhwal to Assam at altitudes of 1,500 m and in Bihar, West Bengal and Deccan Penninsula) is used for cough.

(Folk names not known. About 28 species are found in India.)... scleria lithosperma

See motor neuron disease.... amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

A chronic skin condition of the anogenital area. The skin is scarred and white, and the anatomy of areas such as the vaginal opening or the foreskin may become distorted. Treatment is with potent topical steroid drugs.... lichen sclerosus et atrophicus

A rare condition in which many of the bile ducts are narrowed, causing progressive liver damage for which the only treatment may be a liver transplant. (See also cholangitis.)... sclerosing cholangitis

a surgical procedure in which a piece of silicone plastic or sponge is sewn onto the sclera at the site of a retinal tear to push the sclera towards the tear. The buckle holds the retina against the sclera until scarring seals the tear.... scleral buckle

n. an operation in which a portion of the sclera (the thick white layer of the eyeball) is removed.... sclerectomy

1. (sclerotic coat) n. see sclera. 2. adj. affected with *sclerosis.... sclerotic

n. 1. a surgical knife used in the operation of *sclerotomy. 2. (in embryology) the part of the segmented mesoderm (see somite) in the early embryo that gives rise to all the skeletal tissue of the body. The vertebrae and ribs retain the segmented structure, which is lost in the skull and limbs.... sclerotome

n. an operation in which an incision is made in the sclera (white of the eye).... sclerotomy

a chronic skin disease affecting the anogenital area (and rarely other sites), especially the vulva in women and foreskin in men. It is characterized by sheets of thin ivory-white skin and may be caused by chronic irritation by urine. There is a risk of *squamous cell carcinoma. In women, the condition causes intense itching, and atrophy of the labia minora often occurs. Potent topical corticosteroids are helpful for women. In men, normal penile architecture is progressively lost and a constricting band around the foreskin may appear (causing sexual dysfunction and sometimes *paraphimosis) or sometimes narrowing of the urethral meatus may occur. This sometimes necessitates circumcision.... lichen sclerosus