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Multiple Sclerosis |
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On this page:
[Top] |
| What is Multiple Sclerosis? |
Multiple Sclerosis
(MS) is an illness diagnosed in over 350,000 persons
in the United States today. There is still much to be
learned about multiple sclerosis. MS typically has more
than one (multiple) area of inflammation and scarring
of the myelin in the brain and spinal cord. Myelin is
the tissue that covers and protects our nerve fibers.
When this occurs, nerve communication is disrupted.
An individual with MS experiences various degrees of
neurological impairment depending on the location and
extent of the scarring. Although there is no known cure
for MS at this time, there is much that can be done
to improving quality of life.
[Top] |
| What causes MS? |
Although a
specific cause of MS has not yet been identified, there
are several theories. MS is an "autoimmune"
disease which means that the body's immune system begins
to attack normal body tissue. In the case of MS, the
body attacks the cells that make myelin.
Recent data suggest that common viruses
may play a role in the cause of MS. If this is true
then, MS may be caused by a persistent viral infection
or, by an immune process initiated by a transient viral
infection in the body, most likely the nervous system.
Environmental studies centering on where MS exists and
where it is absent, suggest that there is a triggering
factor. It appears that some factor-most likely infectious-must
be encountered before the age of 16 in order for the
disease to be triggered later in life.
There is a higher incidence of MS found
in the Northern temperate zones of North America and
Europe. This seems to indicate that there could be some
triggering factor in the environment, such as toxins,
vitamin-deficiencies, etc. that could be causing MS
to manifest in those whose immune systems are genetically
predisposed to MS.
MS is not transmitted genetically
but research indicates an increased susceptibility to
autoimmune diseases, appears to be at least partly genetic.
MS itself is not a hereditary disease, but the hereditary
factor may make an individual susceptible to its development.
[Top] |
| Who gets MS? |
Currently, there are 350,000
to 500,000 people in the United States who have been
diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. MS is more common
in women, appears more frequently in whites than in
Hispanics or African Americans and is relatively rare
among Asians and certain other groups.
Ninety percent of MS patients diagnosed are between
the ages of 16 and 60; but MS can make its first appearance
in early childhood or after age 60.
[Top] |
| What are the most common symptoms
of MS? |
The most common characteristics
of MS include fatigue, weakness, spasticity, balance
problems, bladder and bowel problems, numbness, vision
loss, tremor and vertigo. Not all symptoms affect all
MS patients and symptoms and signs may be persistent
or may cease from time to time.
Because the signs and symptoms that define the clinical
picture of MS are the result of nerve lesions causing
disturbances in electrical conduction in one or more
areas of the central nervous system, the nature of the
symptoms that occur is determined by the location of
the lesion.
[Top] |
| Why do doctors feel that I
am imagining my symptoms? |
In the beginning phases
of multiple sclerosis, diagnostic tests, such as MRI's,
may be negative but the patient may experience subjective
sensory symptoms. These symptoms can include numbness,
tingling, or fatigue, and will not be seen on diagnostic
tests. This leads doctors to believe there is no illness
or that anxiety is present. You should also know that
a clinical diagnosis of MS may take years. Often a physician
observes a person over a period of time before reaching
a diagnosis of MS. Neurologists are generally consulted
and diagnostic tests such as MRI's, evoked response
potential, and others may be used to help with a diagnosis.
If you are not sure you have MS, don't be afraid to
ask questions and to find out more about feelings and
symptoms. Do not let symptoms continue without further
investigation.
[Top] |
| Am I going to end up in a
wheelchair? |
The natural course of
MS is highly variable, and it is impossible to predict
the nature, severity or timing of progression in a given
patient. In some cases, the course of MS over the first
5 years may provide a clue to the progression of the
disease over the next 10 years. Recent studies indicate
that 90% of patients with minimal disability 5 years
after onset were still ambulatory at 15 years.
Management of MS has changed dramatically. More than
two thirds of those with MS are still walking 20 years
after developing the disease. Forty percent of persons
diagnosed with MS experience little or no disruptions
of normal activities and 75% never need a wheelchair.
With appropriate management of MS, which includes medical,
rehabilitative and psychological approaches, much can
be done.
[Top] |
| What options can help me? |
Early treatment makes
a difference. The necessity for early treatment in MS
is becoming increasingly clearer. The time has passed
for the "let's wait and see how it goes" attitude
before treatment is begun. The message is that early
treatment seems to delay disability presumably by decreasing
the injury to the nervous system by the multiple sclerosis.
The drugs used for treating MS are currently: Avonex,
Betaseron, Copaxone, or Novantrone. Another option is
alternative healing modalities. Many people find a combination
of the two choices can achieve the best results.
[Top] |
| Does diet affect multiple
sclerosis? |
Although various dietary
regimens have failed to suppress flare-ups or improve
remyelination of damaged nerve pathways, a well-balanced
diet with proper nutrients is vital in treatment plans
intended to reduce the complications of multiple sclerosis.
Attention to diet can reduce problems with skin care,
bladder disease, and bowel control in individuals with
severe MS.
[Top] |
| Does stress affect multiple
sclerosis? |
By understanding
some of the psychological changes that accompany chronic
disease, one may take an active role to achieve a more
healthy mental state. Psychotherapy or counseling, and
body cooling are ways one can relieve stress. Some prefer
alternative treatment options, including relaxation
techniques (exercise, yoga, massage therapy, meditation,
biofeedback, and music) to learn ways to manage unavoidable
stress. With MS, the stress that must be managed is
the "distress" that may hamper our ability
to cope with the events and people in our lives.
[Top] |
| Can I get pregnant with MS? |
For a woman with MS, the
decision to have a baby can be more difficult. MS does
not hinder a woman's chance of becoming pregnant and
carrying a child to full term. MS is only another factor
in one's decision to have a child, not the only one.
Planning the pregnancy and getting all the information
you need can make the decision process easier.
[Top] |
| What about alternatives? |
Attitudes are changing. The
fact that over 125 medical schools, including Harvard,
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Cornell Medical College,
Duke University, and Stanford University, now offer alternatives
to their patients shows that doctors are incorporating
useful parts of alternative medicine.
Alternative medicine places emphasis on the "whole"
person and views health as a complex product of mind,
body and spirit as well as physical and social environment.
This "holistic" approach means recognizing
that the mind and the spirit have a powerful effect
on how the body functions.
[Top] |
This information
has been provided by the MS Foundation.
The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation is pleased to answer
any question you have about multiple sclerosis. If you
have a question that was not addressed, please call
the MS National Toll-free Helpline at 1-888-MSFOCUS
(673-6287); or you can contact the MS Foundation by
email: support@msfocus.org.This information does not
constitute medical advice for any individual. As specific
cases may vary from the general information presented
here, 180 Medical advises readers to consult a qualified
medical or other professional on an individual basis.
If you would like more information on Multiple Sclerosis,
please visit the websites listed below:
Multiple Sclerosis International Federation: http://www.msif.org
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation: http://www.msfacts.org
National Multiple Sclerosis Society: http://www.nationalmssociety.org |
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