Sedentary Behavior in Multiple Sclerosis

Sedentary Behavior in Multiple Sclerosis Case Study

Multiple Sclerosis is a debilitating condition which causes the auto-immune system of the body to attack the central nervous system, eroding the myelin sheath that protects smooth muscle function and allows for the transmission of neural signals. (NCPAD, 1) the result is a constantly diminishing capacity for the nervous system to effect proper communication within the body. This results in a declining ability of the afflicted individual to execute simple muscle function and, eventually, to properly command basic life functions.

The case study here concerns a woman of advanced age who, at 62 years of age, has just been diagnosed with the condition of multiple sclerosis. The woman has responded by determining to sit in a chair for 24 hours a day, disrupting both normalcy of a healthy lifestyle and withdrawing physically and emotionally from strategies that can effect improvement. First and foremost, the danger of selecting a sedentary response to the condition is significant and will not only intensify the condition of multiple sclerosis by failing to keep in circulation and use those nerves in deterioration, but will also lead to compounding health problems.

Given the age and gender of the patient, there are specific health risks which denote a danger in her response. For sedentary women, many health risks are accelerated with aging due to the relationship between a lack of physical activity and various negative health consequences. Physical activity is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Physical activeness benefits the body and mind, and is crucial in preventing obesity, hypertension, heart disease and other potentially fatal long-term conditions. That is why it is absolutely crucial that activeness be integrated into the lifestyle of all adults, especially those suffering from conditions which threaten to erode this range of physical abilities. And this is especially true for women, who as they age must face such potentially debilitating physical conditions as osteoporosis and the adjustments of menopause. The body of research on health, physical activity and habitual orientations of women is at a consensus regarding the values which are inherent to participation in regularly scheduled exercise. Therefore, women leading a sedentary lifestyle may be said to be at a high risk for all manner of negative health condition, and are therefore candidates for evaluation here, in the interests of addressing improvements in health conditions.

The Centers for Disease Control in the United States contends that the benefits of physical activity to sedentary women are that it "improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, reduces anxiety and stress, increases self-esteem, and may improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels." (Seefeldt et al., 9) Indeed, this is an explanation which only scratches the surface of what physical activity represents to the body.

For the condition of multiple sclerosis, this is an even more pressing reality. Accordingly, Brichford (2008) would indicate that "while doctors used to recommend that people living with MS avoid exercise entirely due to fear of aggravating symptoms, now there is a great deal of evidence to suggest that regular exercise not only improves quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis, but that it may also help ease symptoms and minimize the risk of certain complications down the road." (Brichford, 1) in this case, all evidence seems to suggest that exercise will be a crucial part of a multidisciplinary approach to addressing the subject's condition.

This means that in addition to a physician who can help to identify limitations in this area, a physical therapy and rehabilitation team must make up part of the treatment management strategies. This is endorsed in the research by Carcione, which denotes that "referrals to other professionals, such as a physical therapist, who can help create a personal exercise program that meets your needs. The type of exercise that works best for you depends on your symptoms, fitness level, and overall health." (Carcione, 1) Thus, the physical therapist will be instrumental to defining the best course of physical activity given the subject's specific health outlook.

The choice to use a multidisciplinary strategy of treatment is also influenced by the clear indication in the case details that this subject would require mental health counseling as well. This is not an uncommon reality for sufferers of multiple sclerosis. According to Avonex (2008), the connection is demonstrably causative, with the pharmaceutical company's informational website indicating that "clinical depression is more common in people with multiple sclerosis than in the general population. Researchers are not sure if this higher rate of depression is due primarily to an emotional response to having the disease or is related to the physiology of the disease. Either way, depression should be taken very seriously." (Avonex, 1)