Multiple Sclerosis

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Overview

Multiple sclerosis, also commonly called MS, is a disease that affects a person's brain and spinal cord. Like in an autoimmune disease, the body affects itself by attacking the proteins in the protective coating around the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. The scarring caused by these attacks is called sclerosis. Eventually, this will impede the nerve impulses sent from the brain to the body and signals muscles to move and feel. MS is a chronic disease that's typically progressive and sometimes debilitating.

Types

·         Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) is found in 85% of MS cases, where the person has a partial or total recovery after each attack.

·         Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) starts out as RRMS and progresses.

·         Primary-progressive MS (PPMS) starts out as a progressive disease with little relief.

Symptoms

As the nerves that get affected vary, the symptoms also vary accordingly. Some are vision problems like double vision or blurred vision, loss of vision, numbness or weakness in limbs, tingling, pain, fatigue, dizziness, tremor, a shaky gait and lack of coordination and a shock-like pain when moving the head. Muscles stiffness, paralysis, bladder and bowel control, impaired sexual function and slurred speech are also the signs of multiple sclerosis.

Causes/Risk Factors

The cause of MS is not known, but it's believed that a prolonged bout with a cold or flu, an infection and even changes in the body's system during pregnancy could be contributing factors to cause an autoimmune response in the body.

Those of Northern European descent have a greater risk of developing the disease and those who live in northern climates have a greater risk, though the reason for that is unclear. It's believed that the Epstein-Barr virus that also causes mononucleosis could also be responsible for some cases of MS along with certain infections.

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Tests/Diagnosis

Because there is no test for MS, it is difficult to diagnose multiple sclerosis. Symptoms and medical history are taken into account and tests are run to rule out other conditions. Some tests that can help lead to a diagnosis of MS include a spinal tap that check for elevated white blood cells and proteins. An MRI can show damage to the myelin sheath (the coating around the nerves that MS attacks). In an evoked potential test, the tiny electric bursts are applied to the arms and legs to measure the brains response to them.

Treatment

Early on, multiple sclerosis was the most mild and less frequently occurring disease. No treatment was given because almost all treatment was ineffective. Once the disease relapses, there comes the need for medications. There are several different types of medications the doctors can try, with all of them designed to correct the malfunctioning of the immune system and fight infection. More progressive cases of MS call for pain relievers, muscle relaxants and medication to treat other symptoms like fatigue and depression. Physical therapy can sometimes help and a blood plasma exchange can also serve to relieve symptoms for a short period of time.