What You Need To Know About Multiple Sclerosis

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that involves the destruction of the myelin sheaths that protect the nerve fibers. This break down leaves the nerves damaged and covered in scar tissue, disrupting communication within the brain and between the brain and rest of the body.

This condition doesn’t have a cure or known cause yet. However, scientists believe that both environmental and genetic factors contribute to the risk of developing MS. Women are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed than men. Worldwide, approximately 2.1 million people are affected. Search online to learn more about the disease.

What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

Nerves in the human body are wrapped by a protective, insulating layer that ensures that electrical signals are transmitted effectively throughout the body. MS causes severe damage to this protective covering – a process called demyelination – resulting in symptoms.

There are four main types of multiple sclerosis:

  1. Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)
  2. Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS)
  3. Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)
  4. Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS)

RRMS is the most common type, occurring in around 85% of patients with an onset of symptoms starting in a person’s 20s or 30s. Neurologic deficit symptoms tend to appear and resolve without reappearing for some time.

The first episode of a minimum 24-hour autoimmune attack of the nervous system is called clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). People who experience CIS may or may not develop MS later on. Physicians often order an MRI to try to detect brain lesions that are similar to those seem in MS. If present, that person has a 60 to 80 percent chance of a second episode and future MS diagnosis.

Signs And Symptoms

Extreme fatigue that interferes with productivity and the completion of simple tasks is the most common symptom experienced by those suffering from MS, experienced by at least 75 percent of patients.

Other common symptoms of include:

Treatment Options

MS currently has no known cure, but there are treatment options that can slow nerve damage and the progression of the disease, as well as reduce the severity of symptoms. Common drugs to slow the formations of lesions are called Disease-Modifying Agents for MS (DMAMS). They include, but aren’t limited to:

Unfortunately, many MS therapies come with significant health risks. Patients and their doctor must take time to create treatment plans that consider lifestyle, child-bearing plans, costs, and other health issues.

For the mitigation of acute symptoms and the reduction of inflammation, corticosteroids (typically a mix of oral prednisone and intravenous SoluMedrol) can be used to speed up recovery after a relapse. Plasma exchange, in which the liquid portion of the blood is separated from the red blood cells and mixed with a protein solution called albumin, is another treatment option to aid in recovery. Muscle relaxants are also often prescribed to help with pain and spasms.

Supportive and supplemental treatment options include:

If you believe you may have MS, it’s critical that you talk to your doctor as soon as possible to establish a diagnosis and begin treatment. While the disease may not have a cure, there are many forms of treatment available to help patients live a long, good life.