Multiple Sclerosis The causes of Multiple Sclerosis-(MS) is still unknown, but what has been discovered is that Multiple Sclerosis is disease in which the immune system intrudes the protective Myelin Sheath in the nervous system. When the Myelin Sheath is attacked, this can disturb the communication between your brain and the rest of your body.
The reason that I am focusing on this disease is because I have MS. MS affects about 400,000 Americans, and about 2.5 million worldwide, and the disease affects women 2.5 times more than males. The history of MS dates back to the 1830s, but was not recognized by doctors until the 1900s because…show more content… Now with today’s technology, neurologists rely on the MRI
(Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
Symptoms usually start showing up between the ages of 20-50 years. There are numerous symptoms associated with MS. The most predominate symptoms are: paralysis, vision problems, muscle spasms/weakness, and problems with balance and coordination.
MS can also have later symptoms such as: mental and physical fatigue, mood changes, and changes to be able to concentrate or multi-task effectively. Not all symptoms affect everyone the same, it all depends on where the lesion is located at and what particular nerve. I was diagnosed 17 years ago, because I had lost vision in my left eye, and could only see from the neck down. Originally, 21 years ago I had problem with my balance and coordination, and had to walk next to a wall or I would look like I was intoxicated when walking. All the doctors I had gone to at that time, kept stating to me that “I had a virus.” Multiple Sclerosis can be remittent, relapsing, and is possible…show more content… Research conducted still has not determined a cause for MS, other than it is as an autoimmune disease that attacks its own tissues. Doctors generally group MS into four major disease course categories:( http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/multiple-sclerosis
*Relapsing-Remitting MS- This is the most common form of MS. About 85% of patients are diagnosed with this type of MS. This is marked by flare-ups when symptoms improve or disappear.
*Secondary-Progressive MS- The disease continues to worsen with or without periods of remission or leveling off.
*Primary-Progress MS- Symptoms worsen continue to worsen, and this type of MS is can be resistant to medications.
*Progressive-Relapsing MS- A rare form of MS. This is very progressive from the start and there are no periods of remission. (http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/multiple-sclerosis
At this time there is not cure, but there are drug-modifying treatments that can help with the severity of symptoms that some patients might have with MS. Another
