Overview
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the body is attacking itself. Millions of neurotransmitters have an insulation known as myelin sheath around the axon that communicates that message to the other neurotransmitter. So the immune system attacks itself and destroys the myelin sheath, which then forms scar tissue called sclerosis. This damages the neurotransmitters so much that they can’t send electrical impulses normally to and from the brain. There are three different types of MS: relapsing-remitting MS, secondary-progressive MS, and Primary-progressive MS.
Relapsing-remitting MS are weeks or months at a time that new symptoms will happen and can last for years to months. Another level of this is secondary-progressive, progression can be possible or it can lead to no remission, the range can happen between 10 to 40% of disease onset. Symptoms can progress to immobility and trouble walking and symptoms can vary among people. Primary progressive MS can then be diagnosed in different ways in Clinically isolated syndrome and Radiologically isolated syndrome.
Causes, Remedies, and Precautions
Being symptoms include blurred vision, red-green color distortion, difficulty with balance, and abnormal feeling, such as numbness, prickling, or pins and needles. More progressive symptoms are loss of feeling, tremor, depression, and bowel and bladder problems. You can learn more here.
A remedy is treatment of acute relapses. They will use steroids and plasma exchange to speed up recovery for an MS attack. Over treatments include rehabilitation activities, and relearn thinking skills.
Some causes are the genetics through your family history of having it passed to the children. The environmental factors with more temperate climates include New Zealand, southeastern Australia and Europe. Another risk is being preexposed to an autoimmune condition that has weakened your immune system.
Other Facts
MS is a life long condition but people don’t usually die from it. MS is two and a half times more common in women than men. MS is more common in young adults.
Interesting News
Stephen Hauser, MD and Alberto Ascherio MD were awarded the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences because they discovered that immune B-cells are the ones that attack the body. This led to therapies including Genetech’s Ocrevus, and many other anti-body therapies designed to deplete B-cells. You can learn more here.
Leave a Reply