The
World of Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a
potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous
system).
permanent damage or
deterioration of the nerves.
Signs and symptoms of MS
vary widely and depend on the amount of nerve damage and which nerves are
affected. Some people with severe MS may lose the ability to walk independently
or at all, while others may experience long periods of remission without any new
symptoms.
There's no cure for multiple
sclerosis. However, treatments can help speed recovery from attacks, modify the
course of the disease and manage symptoms.
Symptoms
MS-related nervous system
damage
Myelin damage and the
nervous system Open pop-up dialog box
Multiple sclerosis signs and
symptoms may differ greatly from person to person and over the course of the
disease depending on the location of affected nerve fibers. Symptoms often
affect movement, such as:
Numbness or weakness in one
or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of your body at a time, or your
legs and trunk
Electric-shock sensations
that occur with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward
(Lhermitte sign)
Tremor, lack of coordination
or unsteady gait
Vision problems are also
common, including:
Partial or complete loss of
vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement
Prolonged double vision
Blurry vision
Multiple sclerosis symptoms
may also include:
Slurred speech
Fatigue
Dizziness
Tingling or pain in parts of
your body
Problems with sexual, bowel
and bladder function
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you
experience any of the above symptoms for unknown reasons.
Disease course
Most people with MS have a
relapsing-remitting disease course. They experience periods of new symptoms or
relapses that develop over days or weeks and usually improve partially or
completely. These relapses are followed by quiet periods of disease remission
that can last months or even years. Small
increases in body temperature can temporarily worsen signs and symptoms of MS,
but these aren't considered true disease relapses. At least 50% of those with
relapsing-remitting MS eventually develop a steady progression of symptoms,
with or without periods of remission, within 10 to 20 years from disease onset.
This is known as secondary-progressive MS.
The worsening of symptoms
usually includes problems with mobility and gait. The rate of disease
progression varies greatly among people with secondary-progressive MS.
Some people with MS
experience a gradual onset and steady progression of signs and symptoms without
any relapses, known as primary-progressive MS.
More Information
Cannabis for MS: Can it help
treat symptoms?
Multiple sclerosis: Can it
cause seizures?
Causes
The cause of multiple
sclerosis is unknown. It's considered an autoimmune disease in which the body's
immune system attacks its own tissues. In the case of MS, this immune system
malfunction destroys the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers
in the brain and spinal cord (myelin).
Myelin can be compared to
the insulation coating on electrical wires. When the protective myelin is
damaged and the nerve fiber is exposed, the messages that travel along that
nerve fiber may be slowed or blocked.
It isn't clear why MS
develops in some people and not others. A combination of genetics and
environmental factors appears to be responsible.
Risk factors
These factors may increase
your risk of developing multiple sclerosis:
Age. MS can occur at any
age, but onset usually occurs around 20 and 40 years of age. However, younger
and older people can be affected.
Sex. Women are more than two
to three times as likely as men are to have relapsing-remitting MS.
Family history. If one of
your parents or siblings has had MS, you are at higher risk of developing the
disease.
Certain infections. A
variety of viruses have been linked to MS, including Epstein-Barr, the virus
that causes infectious mononucleosis.
Race. White people,
particularly those of Northern European descent, are at highest risk of
developing MS. People of Asian, African or Native American descent have the
lowest risk.
Climate. MS is far more
common in countries with temperate climates, including Canada, the northern
United States, New Zealand, southeastern Australia and Europe.
Vitamin D. Having low levels
of vitamin D and low exposure to sunlight is associated with a greater risk of
MS.
Certain autoimmune diseases.
You have a slightly higher risk of developing MS if you have other autoimmune
disorders such as thyroid disease, pernicious anemia, psoriasis, type 1
diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
Smoking. Smokers who
experience an initial event of symptoms that may signal MS are more likely than
nonsmokers to develop a second event that confirms relapsing-remitting MS.
Complications
People with multiple
sclerosis may also develop:
Muscle stiffness or spasms
Paralysis, typically in the
legs
Problems with bladder, bowel
or sexual function
Mental changes, such as
forgetfulness or mood swings
Depression
Epilepsy
More Information
Multiple sclerosis care at
Mayo Clinic
Managing anxiety in MS: What
works?
Managing depression in MS
The latest edition of the
Atlas of MS shows there are 2.8 million people living with multiple sclerosis
around the world.
The Atlas of MS is a
powerful advocacy tool for MS organizations and advocates to drive policy
changes that can remove obstacles for people with MS and their families in
their country. The data is a key way of shining a spotlight on MS to increase
awareness and understanding around the world.
Jan Ricks Jennings, MHA,
LFACHE
Senior Consultant
Senior Management
Services, LLC
JanJenningsBlog.Blogspot.com
412.913.0636 Cell
724.733.0509 Office
October 12, 2021
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