First recognized in 1868 by the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893), multiple sclerosis or MS is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system, leading to degeneration of the sheath. of myelin that protects the nerves of the brain and spinal cord.
Characterized by patchy improvements and worsening symptoms, MS, with an average age of onset of 34 years, is one of the leading causes of chronic disability in young adults. The disease affects more women than men and is twice as likely to occur in Caucasians than in any other group.
Cause of multiple sclerosis
The exact cause of the condition is unknown, but MS is believed to be the result of a complex combination of environmental, genetic, and autoimmune factors.
Emotional stress, fatigue, overwork, pregnancy and acute respiratory infections are known to precede the onset of MS. A new epidemiological study from Denmark shows that people with type 1 diabetes are more than 3 times more likely to develop the disease than people without diabetes.
Having a family history of MS and living in an area with a higher incidence of the disease (northern Europe, northern US, southern Australia and New Zealand) increases the risk.
Diagnosis
Multiple sclerosis can be difficult to diagnose as its signs and symptoms can be similar to many other medical problems and can often come and go, sometimes going away for months, and in fact, misdiagnosis of psychiatric problems is common. . A diagnosis of MS is made by a history of symptoms and a neurological examination, often with the help of tests such as an MRI or spinal tap.
Tests to diagnose multiple sites include: Cerebrospinal fluid tests, including CSF, oligoclonal banding, MRI of the head, lumbar puncture, nerve function study, and an MRI of the spine. Abnormal EEG results occur in one third of patients, and the white blood cell count may be elevated.
types of multiple sclerosis
There are four main types of the disease: relapsing or remitting, primary progressive, secondary progressive, and relapsing progressive.
Signs and symptoms
The signs may be transient or may last for hours or weeks. They can increase or decrease in no predictable pattern, vary from day to day, and be difficult for the patient to describe.
Because nerves anywhere in the brain or spinal cord can be damaged, multiple sclerosis patients can have symptoms in many parts of the body. MS can cause problems with muscle control and strength, vision, balance, sensation, and mental functions.
Early symptoms of the condition include weakness, tingling, numbness, and blurred vision. Incontinence, emotional swings, slurred speech, and sometimes quite bizarre symptoms are common. People with severe cases may lose the ability to walk or talk. Many patients have severe skeletal abnormalities and excessive muscle tension.
Treatment
There is no sure cure, but treatment can slow the progression of the disease and reduce the number of relapses. Medications used to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis may include: Immune modulators to help control the immune system, including interferons, monoclonal antibodies, glatiramer acetate, mitoxantrone, methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and natalizumab.
Steroids may be used to lessen the severity of the attacks. Researchers have also been testing a vaccine that could stop the progression of the disease.
Because an imbalance in the body’s redox balance has recently been found to be involved, restoring the redox balance with the recently available redox signaling molecule supplement may end up having a much greater effect than expected.
Taking vitamin D supplements helps prevent osteoporosis or slow its progression and may help slow the progression of multiple sclerosis. Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and support groups are also helpful, while planned exercise programs help maintain muscle tone.