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Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic debilitating disease whose cause is unknown and for which there is no cure. Multiple Sclerosis takes its name from the lesions or areas of scarring (sclerosis) affecting the brain and spinal cord which cause its symptoms. Multiple Sclerosis has wide-ranging effects and can impair performance of various organs in the body through their relationship with brain function.
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis can include:
---blurred or double vision
---difficulty maintaining balance
---difficulty speaking or swallowing
---facial pain
---muscle spasms
---decreased memory
---tremors
---sexual dysfunction
---loss of bladder and/or bowel control
---mood swings and depression
---numbness or tingling sensations
---blindness
It is believed that Multiple Sclerosis may be caused by viral infection, heredity, a disorder of the immune system or a combination of these. Multiple Sclerosis strikes more Caucasians and women and the onset is often during early adulthood. Research shows that a predisposition toward Multiple Sclerosis begins before puberty and that those who spend the first fifteen years of life in tropical climates have a higher risk. No one viral infectious agent has been isolated as a cause. Researchers believe it is more likely that Multiple Sclerosis is caused by an individual's unique reaction to infection or that some substance or reaction within the nervous system triggers the body to create antibodies that attack its own tissue. This is the case with another neurological disease, Myasthenia Gravis, in which the immune system attacks the body's muscles and renders muscles weak and unable to contract.
Each patient's reaction and progression of symptoms are different. In some people, Multiple Sclerosis will appear gradually and show little or no progression. In others, the disease appears suddenly and a rapid deterioration occurs. There have even been cases where a complete absence of symptoms occurs after the disease is diagnosed. In Acute Multiple Sclerosis, a rare form of the disease, death can come within weeks to a few years. Another form, Benign Multiple Sclerosis, develops with very few symptoms in many years. In the majority of cases, however, the disease is incurable, even though it can be managed effectively with various medications and therapeutic measures. Life span is usually not affected, with the life expectancy averaging approximately 35 years after diagnosis.
The damage done with Multiple Sclerosis is accomplished when the myelin, the sheath that covers the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, degenerates. Myelin provides insulation and speeds the transmission of nerve signals to and from the brain and spinal cord. Demyelination, the destruction of myelin, results in the neurological problems associated with Multiple Sclerosis. In its initial stages, attacks are followed by relatively normal returns to routine. As the disease progresses, there is lessened improvement between attacks.
There are several diagnostic tests used to detect Multiple Sclerosis. An MRI (multilple resonance imaging) can confirm a diagnosis by showing lesions and sites of inflammation in the brain. Although the presence of lesions is common in Multiple Sclerosis sufferers, the absence of lesions is not a sign that the disease is not active. An electroencephalogram (EEG) can isolate changes in brain waves when introduced to audio or visual stimuli. The Evoked Potential test measures the speed with which nerve impulses travel. Demyelination significantly reduces the speed of nerve signal transmission and can be detected with this test. Lumbar punctures and spinal taps are also used to test spinal fluids for the presence of certain immuno-proteins present in Multiple Sclerosis sufferers.
Although no definitive drug cure is available, various drugs are used to subdue symptoms and reduce the frequency of relapses. Although these treatments cannot totally arrest the disease, they do make it possible for many sufferers to live normal functioning lives. Synthetic interferon is also used to slow disabling factors and reduce relapses. Corticosteroids or ACTH, a hormone that stimulates the body to produce its own corticosteroids, can shorten the duration of attacks and reduce inflammation. Non-drug treatments such as exercise and physical therapy may be beneficial in maintaining coordination and strengthening muscles, while speech therapy can help with difficulties swallowing and speaking.
Individuals are urged, however, to consult a physician before beginning any type of non-traditional treatments.
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