Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is the abnormal hardening of body tissue which affects the brain and spinal cord. MS happens when a person’s own immune system attacks the myelin (a mixture of proteins forming around many nerve fibres) as if it were an undesirable foreign body- in the same way our immune system might attack a virus or bacteria.
What Causes MS?
While the cause of MS is still not known, scientists believe that the interaction of several different factors may be involved. These factors may include:
Genetic factors – some studies have shown that the genes we inherit from our parents may, in part, impact on our risk of developing multiple sclerosis. If you have a parent, sibling, or grandparent who has/had MS, your risk of developing it yourself is greater than average.
Environmental factors – It seems that the more exposure to sunlight we have, the lower our MS risk is. The more sunlight we are exposed to, the less likely we are to have low levels of vitamin D – therefore, long-term vitamin D levels probably play a role in multiple sclerosis risk.
Smoking also plays an important role in MS. Studies have shown that smoking increases a person’s risk of developing MS and is associated with more severe disease and more rapid disease progression
Immunological factors: In MS, an abnormal immune-mediated response attacks the myelin coating around nerve fibres in the central nervous system, as well as the nerve fibres themselves.
Infectious factors: Since initial exposure to numerous viruses, bacteria and other microbes occurs during childhood, and since viruses are well-recognized as causes of demyelisation and inflammation, it is possible that a virus or other infectious agent is the triggering factor in MS.
Symptoms
- Vision problems
- Tingling or Numbness
- Pain and Spasms
- Fatigue or Weakness
- Bladder, Bowl or Sexual Dysfunction
- Cognitive problems such as memory problems and shortened attention
- Hearing loss and seizures
- Uncontrollably shaking
Diagnosis
A neurologist will perform series of tests to determine MS:
- Neurological test: your doctor will check for impaired nerve function
- Eye exam: a series of tests to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): a technique that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of the brain and spinal cord
- Spinal tap (also called a lumbar puncture): a test involving a long needle that’s inserted into your spine to remove a sample of fluid circulating around your brain and spinal cord.
MS often vary in its severity and the ways that it affects people. Attacks can last a few weeks and then disappear. Early detection may help in preventing MS from progressing quickly. The best defence against MS is seeing your doctor immediately after you experience the first warning signs.
Comments