MultipleSclerosis
ABOUT THE
DISORDER
Multiple Sclerosis is caused by
inflammation in the nervous system
and is characterized by repeated
episodes of weakness, numbness,
double vision and poor balance that
last a few weeks before reverting
to normal. The cycle between
periods of illness and recovery is a
defining feature of the the disease.
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune
disease that occurs when the
nervous system attacks the myelin
that wraps around neurons,
however in time, demylination
occurs and the myelin is repaired.
What causes the initial attacks to
the myelin is still unknown.
As we do not know the origin of the
attacks, we cannot completely stop
them. However, we do know that
attacks can be made shorter by using
drugs such as steroids that suppress the
immune system.
OTHER
INFORMATION
SYMPTOMS:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong ailment of unknown origin
that affects 2.5 million people worldwide. MS is diagnosed
weakness, numbness, mainly in individuals between the ages of 20 and 40.
double vision, poor In the United States, the disease results in earnings losses of
balance about $10.6 billion annually for individuals with MS and their
families.
a cycle of recovery MS is an autoimmune disease in which the bodys natural
and illness defenses attack the myelin sheath covering the axons of
neurons in the central nervous system.
The loss of myelin results in damage to the nerve fibers. In
some instances, the damage may be so severe that the nerve
fiber deteriorates. The effects are comparable to the loss of
insulating material around an electrical wire or cutting of the
DEFINITION: wire, which interferes with the transmission of signals.
An autoimmune Following loss of myelin, the axons sheath is either repaired
or replaced by scars, or scleroses, of hardened patches of
disease in which the
tissue. Scarring is usually associated with further degeneration
bodys natural of the nerve fibers. Areas of disease activity, called lesions or
plaques, appear in multiple places within the central nervous
defenses attack the
system.
myelin sheath covering
Siblings of people with MS are at a 2 to 3 percent risk of
the developing MS (10 to 15 times higher than the general
population), whereas the risk for an identical twin of someone
axons of neurons in the
with MS is much higher about 30 percent. In addition, the
central nervous system disease is as much as five times more prevalent in temperate
zones, such as the northern United States and northern Europe,
than it is in the tropics. Caucasians are more susceptible than
other races.
TREATMENT:
Thus, both genetic and environmental factors probably
Steroids:help suppress the play a role in determining who contracts the disease. The
immune system and shorten symptoms of MS depend on the site of the damage. Because the
spinal cord, cerebellum, and optic nerve are commonly affected,
attacks
symptoms such as numbness, clumsiness, and blurred vision
As of now, there are only drugs often occur. However MS can affect many other brain areas,
that help alleviate the side including bundles of myelinated nerve fibers
(white matter) and areas rich in neurons (gray matter), so
effects of the disease such as symptoms may also include slurred speech, weakness, loss of
pain, fatigue, etc.. There are coordination, pain, uncontrollable tremors, loss of bladder
no treatments available for the control, memory loss and other cognitive problems, depression,
and fatigue. Symptoms due to an acute attack may last from
nerve degeneration several weeks to months and then spontaneously improve.
This form of MS is known as relapsing/remitting.