Genealogy Chat

I may have asked this before, if so my apologies.

Arterio; Disseminated & Multiple Sclerosis - are they all basically the same or are they each very different?

One of the 'causes of death' on My Gt.Grandmother's Death Certificate was Arterio Sclerosis. My Aunt had Multiple Sclerosis. My Husband's Mother & Grandmother both had Disseminated Sclerosis.

Thanks,

M. Steer

Hello Margaret, have a look at Wikipedia, the first line on MS is this:-

Multiple sclerosis (abbreviated MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system

Also on BBC site -
The term arteriosclerosis describes a number of conditions where the arteries become thickened and lose their elasticity. It's often called hardening of the arteries and, over time, can lead to heart attacks and stroke

So I think arteriosclerosis is different to MS or disseminated sclerosis

If you look on Google it tells you about them.

Sheila

Multiple and disseminated sclerosis are the same thing. It is a nerve disorder - the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves is damaged and 'electrical messages' cannot be sent along the nerves, resulting in paralysis, lack of sensation etc.
Arteriosclerosis is completely different - this is a disease of large blood vessels. Fatty deposits are laid down in these blood vessels, which harden. The blood vessels narrow as well. This disease leads to heart attacks and strokes.
Hope this helps.
Maggie

Thankyou all for your prompt replies.

You've cleared it up for me.

It was the sclerosis that had me confused - as with so many Medical terms, things sound the same but are completely unconnected.

Thanks again.

M. Steer