Multiple Sclerosis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition in which the body’s immune system reacts abnormally and attacks the central nervous system, especially the brain and spinal cord. This disease affects women more often than men. When severe enough, multiple sclerosis can cause disability.
There are three types of multiple sclerosis, namely:
- Relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis (Relapsing-Remitting MS). This type often appears at the initial symptoms and affects 80 percent of sufferers.
- Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (Primary-Progressive MS). This type is quite rare and generally affects those over the age of 40. The disease continues to progress at varying rates and has an indeterminate period of relapse.
- Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (Secondary-Progressive MS). Nearly 70 percent of people with relapsing multiple sclerosis develop secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Symptoms that appear can be a relapse which is exacerbated by loss of nerve function.
Symptom
The symptoms that occur in each patient can be different. This disease can also attack any part of the body. Symptoms that may be experienced include:
- tired easily
- difficulty walking
- visual disturbances
- difficulty controlling the urge to urinate
- numbness or tingling sensation in the body
- muscle stiffness or muscle weakness
- balance and coordination problems
- dizziness and vertigo
- difficulty thinking, learning, and planning
- difficulty having sex
- painful
- emotional changes and depression
Reason
Multiple sclerosis is related to the nervous system in the body, especially the brain and spinal cord. The human nervous system consists of a network of nerve cells that are normally covered by myelin. Myelin functions to protect nerve cells and help the passage of messages from the brain to other parts of the body through nerve cells.
In people with multiple sclerosis, the body’s immune system will attack the myelin so that it is partially or completely released from nerve cells. Apart from being loose, scarring can also occur / scar tissue arises in myelin.
As a result, there is a disruption in the delivery of messages through the nerve cells, which is slower, wrong messages, or messages that don’t arrive. In addition to damage to myelin, multiple sclerosis can also cause damage to nerve cells.
The reason behind the body’s immune system attacking myelin, which is actually a part of the body itself, is still not clear. It is thought there is a combination of genetic and environmental factors that cause this, such as:
- genetic factor. This disease is not inherited, but having a family member with multiple sclerosis increases your risk of developing it.
- Deficiency of sunlight and vitamin D.
- Have a smoking habit.
- Viral infection. For example the Epstein-Barr virus.
Diagnosis
If you feel you are experiencing symptoms of multiple sclerosis, you should immediately consult a neurologist. Moreover, the symptoms can be similar to other health disorders.
There is no specific examination that confirms the diagnosis. That is why the process of diagnosing this disease is sometimes difficult. To help confirm the diagnosis, the following things can be done:
- medical interview to make sure about the symptoms that are felt
- neurological physical examination
- MRIs
- evoked potential test, a test to determine the condition of the eye by means of the eye being stimulated with light while brain waves are monitored
- cerebrospinal fluid examination
The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis can be confirmed if:
- there is evidence of damage to at least two areas of the central nervous system, and
- there is evidence of damage occurring at least one month apart
- when other possible causes have been eliminated
Treatment
Medication cannot cure multiple sclerosis, but there are medications to control the condition. The treatment given really depends on your condition and the symptoms you are experiencing.
Some of the treatments that may be recommended are:
- steroids, to deal with relapses/attacks and help recovery
- disease-modifying therapy, treatment to prevent future attacks
- specific treatment according to the symptoms experienced
Prevention
In this case, multiple sclerosis cannot be prevented by taking special measures for granted.