Multiple Sclerosis Information

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About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. MS can cause a variety of symptoms, including changes in sensation, visual problems, weakness, depression, and difficulties with coordination and speech.

Although many patients lead full and rewarding lives, MS can cause impaired mobility and disability in the more severe cases.

Symptoms

Individuals with MS may experience a wide variety of symptoms. The initial attacks are often transient, mild (or asymptomatic), and self-limited.

Clinical Entities Of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Three clinical entities warrant further discussion because affected individuals are often eventually diagnosed with MS. (However, MS is only one of several potential causes for these entities.)

Optic neuritis
Internuclear ophthalmoplegia
Transverse myelitis

Diagnosis

MS is difficult to diagnose in its early stages. In fact, definite diagnosis of MS cannot be made until there is evidence of at least two anatomically separate demyelinating events occurring at least thirty days apart.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Course And Clinical Subtypes. The course of MS is difficult to predict, and the disease may at times either lie dormant or progress steadily.

Factors triggering a relapse

MS relapses are often unpredictable and can occur without warning with no obvious inciting factors. Some attacks, however, are preceded by common triggers. In general, relapses occur more frequently during spring and summer than during autumn and winter. Infections, such as the common cold, influenza, and gastroenteritis, increase the risk for a relapse.

Pathophysiology

Although much is known about how MS causes damage, the reasons why MS occurs are not known.

Complications

In MS, certain T cells trigger an inflammatory process when they encounter myelin, stimulating other immune cells and soluble factors like cytokines and antibodies.

Why Multiple Sclerosis(MS) Occur. Although many risk factors for MS have been identified, no definitive cause has been found.

Treatment

There is no known definitive cure for MS. However, several types of therapy have proven to be helpful.

Management Of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis(MS). In the United States, as of 2005 there are five FDA-approved treatments for patients with relapsing-remitting MS.

Management Of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis(MS). Treatment of progressive MS is more difficult than relapsing-remitting MS, and many patients do not respond to any therapy.

Management Of Demyelination Without A Diagnosis Of Multiple Sclerosis(MS). Several studies have shown that starting treatment with interferon (Avonex or Rebif) during the initial attack (and prior to the second attack required for a definite diagnosis of MS) can decrease the chance that a patient will develop MS.

Management Of The Effects Of Multiple Sclerosis(MS). Because much of the damage caused by MS is irreversible, management of the resulting deficits is very important.

Therapies Under Investigation

A family of cholesterol-lowering drugs, the statins, have shown anti-inflammatory effects in animal models of MS.

Side Effects Of Medications For Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis(MS). The two most common types of medications used to treat relapsing-remitting MS have significant side effects which warrant further discussion.

Prognosis

The future course of the disease (or prognosis) for people with ms depends on the subtype of the disease, the individual's sex and race, their age, their initial symptoms, and the degree of disability they experience.

Natural Remedies

Although some doctors recommend fish oil capsules for people with ms, few investigations have explored the effects of this supplement.

References For Multiple Sclerosis(MS) Article

Wikipedia

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