Multiple Sclerosis

Definition

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic degenerative disease that may be causes demyelination of the white matter of the brain and spinal cord and damage to nerve fibers and their targets. It is a major cause of chronic disability in young adults. It usually occurred between ages 20 and 40. It affects three women for every two men and five whites for every nonwhite. A family history of MS and living in a cold, damp climate increase the risk. MS may progress rapidly, disabling the patient by early adulthood or may also causing death within months of onset. But, 70% of patients lead active, productive lives with prolonged remissions. MS has various types include Relapsing-remitting MS, in which it demonstrates definite but unpredictable relapses during which new symptoms appear and last for varying periods and other Benign MS involves one or two attacks after which recovery is complete and no any permanent disability remains. Primary-progressive MS is a steady progression and worsening of symptoms from onset with minor recovery or plateaus. Secondary-progressive MS begins as a pattern of clear-cut relapses and recovery with steadily progressive disability that worsens later in the course of the disease between acute attacks.

Causes of Multiple sclerosis

The exact cause of MS is unknown. Other theories suggest that environmental and genetic factors may also be linked to MS and it may cause by these factors. Certain conditions appear to precede onset or exacerbation such as:

• Emotional stress
• Fatigue
• Pregnancy
• Acute respiratory infections.

Symptoms of Multiple sclerosis

Symptoms of this disease include:

• Vision problems
• Sensory impairment, such as burning and pins and needles, decreased ability to sense temperatures or vibrations, and decreased strength
• Fatigue.

Other characteristic changes include:

• Ocular disturbances such as optic neuritis, ophthalmoplegia, and nystagmus from impaired cranial nerve dysfunction and conduction deficits to the optic nerve
• Muscle dysfunction such as weakness, spasticity, and gait ataxia from impaired motor reflex
• Urinary disturbances such as incontinence, urgency, and frequent infections from impaired transmission involving sphincter innervation
• Bowel disturbances such as involuntary evacuation or constipation from altered impulse transmission to internal sphincter
• Speech problems such as poorly articulated or scanning speech and dysphagia from impaired transmission to the cranial nerves and sensory cortex.

Other complications of MS may include: .

• Injuries from falls
• Urinary tract infection
• Constipation
• Joint contractures
• Pressure ulcers
• Rectal distention
• Pneumonia
• Depression

Treatment of Multiple sclerosis

If you have this disease, then you should be use Possible treatment such as:

• Treatment for this disease is I.V. methylprednisolone followed by oral therapy reduces edema of the myelin sheath. Other drugs, such as azathioprine or methotrexate and misoprostol may be used.
• Another treatment for this disease is Immune system therapy. It consisting of interferon beta-1a, interferon beta-1b, and glatiramer, reduces frequency and severity of relapses and may slow central nervous system damage.
• You can also use baclofen and tizanidine to treat spasticity. For severe spasticity, botulinum toxin injections, intrathecal injections, nerve blocks, and surgery may be necessary.