| Multiple Sclerosis(MS)also known as | | | | |
| disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis | | | | Signs and Symptoms |
| disseminata is a chronic, inflammatory, | | | | |
| demyelinating disease that affects the | | | | The hallmark of multiple sclerosis is |
| central nervous system (CNS). Multiple | | | | unpredictable periods of exacerbation, |
| sclerosis affects neurons, the cells of the | | | | remission, and progression. Initial symptoms |
| brain and spinal cord that carry information, | | | | of MS may be brief and mild. The first |
| create thought and perception, and allow the | | | | serious attack usually lasts weeks or months |
| brain to control the body. Surrounding and | | | | and occurs between the ages of 20 and 40. |
| protecting some of these neurons is a fatty | | | | |
| layer known as the myelin sheath, which helps | | | | Balance and equilibrium abnormalities (e.g., |
| neurons carry electrical signals. MS causes | | | | dizziness, vertigo, uncoordinated movements, |
| gradual destruction of myelin (demyelination) | | | | tremor) |
| and transection of neuron axons in patches | | | | |
| throughout the brain and spinal cord. The | | | | Bladder and bowel dysfunction (e.g., urgency, |
| name multiple sclerosis refers to the | | | | incontinence, nocturia, constipation) |
| multiple scars (or scleroses) on the myelin | | | | |
| sheaths. | | | | Behavioral changes (e.g., mood swings, |
| | | | depression) |
| Causes | | | | |
| | | | Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis |
| Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, | | | | |
| meaning its cause is an attack by the body's | | | | Currently there is no cure for MS in |
| own immune system. For unknown reasons, | | | | conventional medicine. However, there are |
| immune cells attack and destroy the myelin | | | | treatments available that may slow its |
| sheath that insulates neurons in the brain | | | | progression and alleviate associated |
| and spinal cord. This myelin sheath, created | | | | symptoms. Some cures are reported in |
| by other brain cells called glia, speeds | | | | alternative medicine literature. |
| transmission and prevents electrical activity | | | | |
| in one cell from short-circuiting to another | | | | Drug therapies-Medications that target the |
| cell. Disruption of communication between the | | | | body's immune system may decrease the |
| brain and other parts of the body prevent | | | | frequency and duration of attacks. These |
| normal passage of sensations and control | | | | medications can be used on a long-term basis |
| messages, leading to the symptoms of MS. The | | | | and also to treat specific attacks. |
| demyelinated areas appear as plaques, small | | | | Additional medications may be prescribed for |
| round areas of gray neuron without the white | | | | other symptoms, such as pain or depression. |
| myelin covering. The progression of symptoms | | | | |
| in MS is correlated with development of new | | | | Additional therapies-Because MS may affect |
| plaques in the portion of the brain or spinal | | | | the patient's ability to perform self-care |
| cord controlling the affected areas. Because | | | | and other activities of daily living, |
| there appears to be no pattern in the | | | | treatment may also include referral to |
| appearance of new plaques, the progression of | | | | specialists for physical and occupational |
| MS can be unpredictable. | | | | therapy. |
| | | | |
| However, the specific causes of multiple | | | | Currently, there is no cure for Multiple |
| sclerosis are unfortunately unknown. This | | | | Sclerosis but there is a wide variety of |
| illustrates the importance to conduct medical | | | | medicines that can reduce the frequency and |
| trials to attempt to discover the exact | | | | severity of attacks. Since all medications |
| causes of the disease. Clinical trials and | | | | have some down-side effects, your doctor can |
| clinical trial participants are vital to the | | | | help you decide what you need based on the |
| progress of finding a treatment for multiple | | | | severity of your disease. |
| sclerosis. | | | | |