Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an illness that involves spinal cord and the brain. This illness progresses with time leading towards disabling. There is a sheath composed of myelin that is a fatty substance. This sheath functions to provide insulation by surrounding nerve cells.

Nerve impulses are transmitted through this sheath. When some damage or inflammation occurs to this sheath, multiple sclerosis occurs. Nerve impulses are slow down or disrupted. Some areas of scarring are left as a result of this damage of inflammation called sclerosis. The term multiple sclerosis plaques is used to define the areas where scarring and damage to myelin sheath have occurred.

When disruption in the nerve impulses occurs, many problems may be encountered. Sensation, vision and movements related to body can be badly affected. These symptoms are not permanent. They occur in the form of series of episodes. When these symptoms come, condition worsens and it is called relapses.

And when symptoms are improved, conditions become better and it is called remissions. Multiple sclerosis can affect patients for many decades too with the symptoms coming and going. When the attacks are occurred, this illness becomes worse.

Causes

There have been many decades since the scientists were trying to find the exact reason of the occurrence of multiple sclerosis. Now the scientists have come to know that when the immune system of a patient does not go well with the body and attacks its own body, then multiple sclerosis occurs.

So it is said that multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease. In multiple sclerosis, the immune system of the body attacks the myelin sheath surround the nerve cells and thus destroy their functions.

It is said that either a viral infection or emotional or physical stress could give rise to multiple sclerosis. Scientists have not predicted the duration, timing and damage that is resulted due to the attacks of multiple sclerosis.

This disease is most commonly found in young people especially among those that are located in temperate climate regions. Women are more likely to have this illness. It seems that this illness is transferred through genes but no single gene has been identified yet that could be the cause of multiple sclerosis. Scientists believe that multiple sclerosis occurs due to combined action of several genes.

Symptoms

There are many symptoms of multiple sclerosis that depend on the affected areas of the spinal cord and brain. Following are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis:

• Double or blurred vision happens in multiple sclerosis. Sudden loss of vision also results.
• Clumsiness is also a symptom that usually occurs on one side when one gets multiple sclerosis.
• The walking pattern unsteady.
• Patients start losing coordination.
• Usually a hand starts trembling.
• Patients complain of extreme tiredness.
• Expressions of weakness, pain and numbness are found on face.
• Patients lose control on their bladder.
• Patients complain of feeling constriction, numbness and tingling in their body especially in the legs and arms.
• Patients feel heaviness or weakness in their legs or arms.

Diagnosis

Multiple sclerosis should be considered if a person complains of symptoms that show disorder of spinal cord or brain or both of them. These symptoms are most commonly found in people younger than 40 years. But this disease can occur in people of ages between 40 to 60 years. If a person complains of losing vision or blurring or doubling of vision, extreme weakness, change in walking pattern, loss of body coordination etc then one should inform the doctor and the doctor should consider these symptoms related to multiple sclerosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the spinal cord and brain should be ordered for the confirmation of the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Ophthalmologist should also be consulted for the examination of eye.

Prevention

There is no way found yet that could prevent multiple sclerosis.

Treatment

No cure for multiple sclerosis is found yet.