Multiple Sclerosis
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Migraine refers to a recurrent severe headache.When the myelin is destroyed, nerve messages are sent more slowly and less efficiently. Scar tissue then forms over the affected areas, disrupting nerve communication. MS symptoms occur when the brain and spinal cord nerves cease to communicate properly with other parts of the body. No single cause has been identified and many factors are probably involved
- MS is not hereditary but can occur in more than one family member, suggesting a genetic predisposition. You are more likely to get MS if other people in your family have it, especially a brother or sister.
- An environmental agent such as a virus may be involved although no single virus has been identified as being responsible.
- Environmental factors may trigger MS in susceptible people, amongst the environmental factors suggested are diet, stress, trauma and nutrition.
- MS is more common in people of certain tissue types (HLA groups);
- Evidence suggests MS may result from an auto-immune process (where the body attacks its own cells or tissues)
- The incidence of MS increases in countries further from the equator. It is 5 times more common in temperate zones than in the tropics.
There is no known way to prevent multiple sclerosis. Until the cause of the disease is discovered, this is unlikely to change. Good nutrition; adequate rest; avoidance of stress, heat, and extreme physical exertion; and good bladder hygiene may improve quality of life and reduce symptoms.
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis symptoms generally appear between the ages of 20 and 40. Typically a person is seen after developing two or more distinct episodes of symptoms that resolve yet are consistent with MS. Common and Uncommon Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis The most common early symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis include:- Tingling
- Numbness
- Loss of balance
- Weakness in one or more limbs
- Blurred or double vision
- Sudden onset of paralysis
- Lack of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Cognitive difficulties
- Fatigue. This is a characteristic and common symptom of MS. It is typically present in the midafternoon and may consist of increased muscle weakness, mental fatigue, sleepiness, or drowsiness. Physical exhaustion is not related to the amount of work performed; and many patients with MS complain of extreme fatigue even after a good night's sleep.
- Spasticity. Muscle spasms are a common and often debilitating symptom of MS. Spasticity usually affects the muscles of the legs and arms, and may interfere with a persons ability to move those muscles freely.
- Vision problems. Vision problems are relatively common in people with MS. In fact, one vision problem, optic neuritis, occurs in 55% of people with the condition.This can result in blurring or graying of vision or blindness in one eye. However ,most vision problems in Multiple Sclerosis do not lead to blindness.
- Abnormal sensations. Many people with Multiple Sclerosis experience abnormal sensations such as "pins and needles," numbness, itching, burning, stabbing, or tearing pains. Fortunately, most of these symptoms, while aggravating, are not life-threatening or debilitating and can be managed or treated.
- Dizziness. Many people with Multiple Sclerosis complain of feeling "off balance" or lightheaded. Occasionally they may experience the feeling that they or their surroundings are spinning; this is called vertigo. These symptoms are caused by damage in the complex nerve pathways that coordinate vision and other inputs into the brain that are needed to maintain balance.
- Impaired thinking. Problems with thinking occur in about half of people with MS. For most, this means slowed thinking, decreased concentration, or decreased memory. Approximately 10% of people with the disease have severe impairment that significantly impairs their ability to carry out tasks of daily living.
- Speech and swallowing problems . People with Multiple Sclerosis often have swallowing difficulties. In many cases, they are associated with speech problems as well. They are caused by damaged nerves that normally aid in performing these tasks.
- Tremors. Fairly common in people with Multiple Sclerosis, tremors can be debilitating and difficult to treat.
- Heat sensitivity. Heat sensitivity (the appearance or worsening of symptoms when exposed to heat, like a hot shower) occurs in most people with MS.
- Difficulty walking. Gait disturbances are amongst the most common symptoms of MS. Mostly this problem is related to muscle weakness and/or spasticity, but having balance problems or numbness in your feet can also make walking difficult.
