Final answer:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the brain and spinal cord. Current statistics on MS, which include symptoms, progression, and therapy, are maintained in databases like the NNDSS, though specific data for Nevada is not provided here. Worldwide data shows variation in MS prevalence with higher rates occurring further from the equator.
Step-by-step explanation:
Data on Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord, characterized by damage to the myelin sheath. This demyelination disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body. While comprehensive, up-to-date data for the state of Nevada might be difficult to find publicly, the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) does maintain data that can be used for retrospective analysis and predicting trends in disease occurrence by time and place, including for MS. Nationally and worldwide, the prevalence of MS varies, with higher rates typically found in regions farther from the equator.
Patients with MS may experience a range of symptoms, such as visual disturbances, muscle weakness, and difficulty with coordination and balance. These symptoms are due to lesions in the white matter of the brain and spinal cord, resulting in physical disabilities as well as psychiatric and cognitive deficits. The progression of MS can occur through isolated attacks or a slower degenerative progression, leading to permanent damage. Some functions may be relearned, however, indicating the possibility of network plasticity.
Statistics and data on MS, including incidence and prevalence rates, are often collected by health agencies and research organizations to inform treatment and care strategies. Although the specific data for Nevada is not provided here, such information would be available upon specific request or through a targeted search of health databases and official state health department reports.