Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and autoimmune disorder (an immune-mediated inflammatory disease) that causes problems throughout the body.
In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath in the central nervous system, called "myelin", and destroys the myelin.
Myelin damage (demyelinating disease) causes communication problems between the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord) and the rest of the body.
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Types of Multiple Sclerosis
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Causes of Multiple Sclerosis
Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis
Complications of Multiple Sclerosis
Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
Pharmaceutical Treatment- Drug Therapy
Alternative Treatment Options for MS
How to Prevent Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Inflammation
Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis
Vaccines and Multiple Sclerosis
Say 'No' to Smoking
Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids
Ensure compliance with standards
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| What is multiple sclerosis and how to prevent MS inflammation |
Multiple Sclerosis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment - How to Prevent MS Inflammation
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
is defined as the most common demyelinating disease of the central nervous
system (brain, spinal cord) due to the immune system attack on the myelin
sheath.
In detail, MS disease
often leads to exhaustion when the body's immune system damages the membrane
surrounding the nerves, called myelin; a substance that covers nerve
fibers and protects them.
This damage to the
membrane negatively affects the process of communication between the brain and
the rest of the body. Eventually, the nerves themselves may get damaged, which
is irreparable damage.
It should be noted that
the symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary from patient to patient depending on
the affected nerves and the amount of damage in the nerves.
In difficult cases,
patients with multiple sclerosis lose the ability to walk or
talk. Sometimes, it is difficult to diagnose the disease in its early
stages, because the symptoms often appear and then disappear, and may disappear
for several months.
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
may occur at any age but usually begins to develop at the age of 20-40 years.
Although there is no
definitive cure for MS, some treatments may reduce the incidence of seizures
and help control and alleviate symptoms.
Types of Multiple Sclerosis
There are four
different types of multiple sclerosis, including:
Clinically Isolated
Syndrome (CIS): CIS is a single
attack (seizure) that affects the patient and its symptoms last for at least 24
hours.
Relapsing-Remitting MS
(RRMS): RRMS is one
of the most common types, affecting 85% of patients. Seizures include new and
increasing symptoms.
Primary-Progressive MS
(PPMS): Primary
progressive MS Symptoms worsen progressively, affecting 15% of cases.
Secondary Progressive MS
(SPMS): The severity of the
disease increases after periods of relapses and rest in which the patient
passes.
Read here: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) -Types, Symptoms and Causes
Read here: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) -Types, Symptoms and Causes
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis has
different and varied symptoms, related to the location of the affected nerve
fibers.
MS may cause a wide
range of symptoms that vary in severity and duration of occurrence among
patients. The period in which symptoms increase in severity is defined as
relapses.
Some common symptoms of
multiple sclerosis may include:
➮Partial
or total loss of eyesight in each of the eyes individually, in general (the
problem is not both eyes at the same time), sometimes accompanied by aches in
the eye when it is moved (optic neuritis).
➮Numbness
(lack of sensation and feeling) or weakness in the limbs, all or part of them,
usually appear weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, or in the lower
part of the body.
➮Aches
and itches in different parts of the body.
➮Facing
problems with thinking, learning, and planning.
➮Vision
problems; double or blurry vision.
➮Feeling
like an electric blow when moving the head certain movements.
➮Suffering
from sexual problems.
➮Tremor,
loss of coordination between body organs or loss of balance while walking.
➮Feeling
general fatigue.
➮Muscle
spasm, stiffness, and weakness.
➮Bladder
and bowel problems.
➮Dizziness;
people with multiple sclerosis may feel lightheaded or off balance.
Symptoms appear in most
people with multiple sclerosis, especially in the early stages, and then
disappear completely or partially. Often the symptoms of multiple
sclerosis appear or increase in severity at high body temperature.
In most cases, symptoms
of MS appear in the form of intermittent attacks or donations, interrupted by
certain periods when the symptoms finally disappear or decrease
significantly.
Infections may last for
several days, weeks, or months, and in some cases of advanced disease,
permanent nerve damage may result in continued symptoms, and the associated
symptoms depend on the affected area of the body.
Causes of Multiple Sclerosis
The exact cause of
multiple sclerosis is not known, but it is believed that some factors play
a role in increasing the likelihood of developing the disease.
You know that multiple
sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks
itself. This process damages the myelin layer, a fatty substance that
envelops and protects the nerve fibers of the brain and spine.
Myelin function is
similar to the function of insulating coating in the electrical wire. When the
myelin layer is damaged, the message or information that is transmitted through
the nerve may arrive slower or not at all.
Some people have certain
genes that increase their chance of getting sick. Some people may develop
the disease after being exposed to a viral infection such as Epstein – Barr
virus and other infections that make the immune system work abnormally or
infection may trigger disease or cause relapses.
Some studies have
suggested that getting vitamin D from sunlight may boost the immune system and
prevent MS and even people who have a higher chance of developing the disease
and moving to sunny places may have a lower risk.
As we mentioned above,
so far, doctors and researchers do not know the exact cause of multiple
sclerosis but a combination of genetic factors and childhood infections helps
determine the active agents of the disease.
Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis
The following factors
may increase the likelihood of developing multiple sclerosis:
Genetic factors: The likelihood of developing multiple
sclerosis increases when family members are infected or have multiple
sclerosis.
For example, a person
whose parent or sibling suffered for multiple sclerosis has a 1 to 3%
chance of developing this disease, compared to only 1% in other people.
However, experiments
between identical twins have shown that heredity is not the only factor for
multiple sclerosis.
If MS had only genetic
factors, the likelihood of infection in identical twins would be equal but this
is not the case. The risk of identical twins is only 30% if his twin
brother has multiple sclerosis.
Age: Multiple sclerosis may occur at all
ages, but generally begins and develops between the ages of 20 and 40.
Gender: Women are twice as likely as men to have
multiple sclerosis.
Ethnicity: White people, especially those of Northern
European origin, are more likely to have MS.
Contamination: Many viruses are known to be associated
with MS. More recently, the most interesting topic is the relationship between
MS and EB-Epstein Barr - the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis (also
known as Kissing Disease). ).
To date, it is not known
how the virus arises and develops in difficult cases of MS.
Climate: Multiple sclerosis is more common in
temperate climates.
Certain autoimmune
diseases: There are people
(slightly more likely) to have multiple sclerosis if they have one of the
following autoimmune diseases:
- Inflammatory bowel
- Type 1 diabetes
- Diseases in which thyroid function is impaired
Complications of Multiple Sclerosis
In some cases, multiple
sclerosis may develop other diseases such as:
⇒Muscle stiffness,
hardness or muscle spasm (Myospasm).
⇒Paralysis, especially in
the legs.
⇒Problems
with bladder cysts, intestines, or sexual performance.
⇒Mental problems, such as
forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, or depression.
⇒Epileptic seizures.
Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
There is no specific
test for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Ultimately, the
diagnosis depends on the denial of other diseases that may cause the same symptoms.
Your doctor can diagnose
MS based on the results of the following tests:
Blood Tests: Blood tests can help prevent the presence
of contaminated diseases or other infections, which also cause the same
symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Lumbar Puncture: In this test, the doctor or nurse extracts
a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal canal and examines it in
vitro.
The results of this test
can indicate a defect or a specific problem related to multiple sclerosis (MS),
such as abnormal levels of white blood cells or proteins.
This process can also
help to deny the presence of viral and other diseases that may cause
neurological symptoms similar to those of multiple sclerosis.
Evoked Potentials Test: In this test, electrical signals from the
brain are measured in response to stimuli and visual or electrical stimuli are
used for the hands or legs.
Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI): In this
examination, a highly charged magnetic field is used to form a detailed image
of the internal organs.
An MRI scan can detect
brain and spinal damage indicating loss of myelin, due to multiple
sclerosis.
However, loss of myelin
may be caused by other diseases, such as Lupus or Lyme Disease (also called
Borreliosis).
The presence of these
damages does not mean that the patient necessarily has multiple
sclerosis.
During an MRI scan, a
person lies on a movable table and is inserted into a device that resembles a
long tube that makes knocking sounds during the examination.
Most MRI tests take at
least one hour. Screening is not painful, but some people get Claustrophobia
when they communicate with power devices inside the body.
Therefore, the doctor
may make sure that the examination, if needed, under anesthesia.
Sometimes colored
substances are injected into a vein, which can more easily detect damage
effectiveness.
This process helps
doctors determine whether the disease is in an effective stage, even if the
patient does not feel the symptoms of the disease.
More sophisticated MRI
screening techniques can provide a more detailed picture of the degree of nerve
fiber injury or even total damage to myelin.
What is the Best Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
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| What is the best treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS)? |
Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Treatment of multiple
sclerosis is generally concentrated in the resistance of autoimmune reaction
and symptom control.
There is no specific
cure for the disease. In some patients, these symptoms are so mild and so
simple that no treatment is needed.
Pharmaceutical Treatment- Drug Therapy
The most commonly known
medications for the treatment of multiple sclerosis include:
Corticosteroid: This is the cortisone-like medicine used
for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. It blocks and reduces inflammation
that usually intensifies in seizures and it provides relief for inflamed areas
of the body.
Glatiramer acetate: An immunomodulator medication used to
treat MS.
Interferon Beta 1-Alpha: A cytokine in the interferon family used
to deal with MS.
Natalizumab: Natalizumab (Tysabri ) is a monoclonal
antibody used to treat multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. It can affect
the actions of the immune system of the body and may help to protect healthy
cells from damage.
Teriflunomide: It affects the immune system and reduces
inflammation and swelling in the nervous system and used to treat the symptoms of
relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
Metoxenotrone: An anthracenedione (anthraquinone) and an
antineoplastic agent used to treat multiple sclerosis. It is also used to treat
leukemia and other cancers.
Note: All medicines listed here are for
informational purposes only. We do not recommend any kind of medication. Please
consult with your doctor before taking any medications to treat multiple
sclerosis.
Alternative Treatment Options for MS
Alternative treatments
can also be used for the treatment of MS symptoms, including:
Massage therapy (physiotherapy) and magnet therapy.
Exercise Therapy: for example, yoga, swimming, walking, and
other types of regular exercise. The patient is taught and trained in
stretching and strengthening exercises and is instructed on how to use devices
that can facilitate everyday life.
Plasmapheresis: also known as therapeutic plasma exchange
(TPE), is used in cases of severe symptoms of MS, especially in people who do
not appear to be responsive and have no improvement when injected with
intravenous steroids.
Plasmapheresis is a
somewhat similar technique for dialysis because it automatically separates
blood cells from the plasma (the liquid part of the blood).
How to Prevent Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Inflammation
Obviously, preventing
such a complex disease is very difficult. Consequently, researchers have
identified several very important factors for multiple sclerosis that may be
the solution to prevent this disease.
Even if you have
multiple sclerosis already, it is important to brace yourself with many facts,
and lifestyle changes can reduce the rate of relapses, relieve symptoms and
slow the progression of the disease.
Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis
It is now widely
accepted that low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of
multiple sclerosis. This seems reasonable given that vitamin D plays a key role
in the function of the immune and nervous systems.
That is why some experts
believe that vitamin D may help prevent multiple sclerosis.
Some studies suggest
that increasing vitamin D is associated with a lower relapse rate as well as a
lower degree of disability in people who already have multiple sclerosis, so it
is very important to discuss with your doctor if you have multiple sclerosis.
Vaccines and Multiple Sclerosis
Since there is no
bacterium or virus that triggers the disease, developing a vaccine that
prevents MS is at least difficult. This cannot stop scientists from trying
to develop a vaccine.
In fact, there are a
number of promising vaccines under test, one of which has been under discussion
for several years.
A study showed that
patients who had early signs of multiple sclerosis and took a tuberculosis
vaccine, was significantly less likely to exacerbate multiple sclerosis than those
who took a placebo.
Research is still in its
infancy, but regular doses of this vaccine may eventually become a periodic
preventive treatment for patients in the early stages of multiple sclerosis as
well as individuals who are at increased risk of exacerbating the disease due
to genetic causes.
Preventing multiple
sclerosis is not just in the hands of researchers. There are a number of
lifestyle changes we can all make to reduce the risk of worsening the disease.
Say 'No' to Smoking
Exposure to cigarette
smoking appears to be one of the major environmental factors for MS. The
chance of exacerbating the disease is 1.5 times higher than that of
non-smokers.
The more you smoke, the
greater the risk. In this regard, if you have multiple sclerosis, there are
many reasons to stop smoking - a number of studies have suggested that smoking
may exacerbate the disease more quickly.
It is also associated
with a greater risk of shifting from relapsing and quiet sclerosis to
progressive secondary multiple sclerosis.
Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids
A healthy and balanced
diet is very important to maintain a healthy weight, but it also ensures that
you get all the nutrients your body needs to maintain a healthy immune system
and nervous system.
Studies suggest that
countries that consume large amounts of fish tend to lower rates of multiple
sclerosis, which some experts believe may be due to the anti-inflammatory
effects of omega-3 oils.
If you have multiple
sclerosis, it is very important to increase your intake. Studies show that
supplementation with omega-3 oils in individuals with multiple sclerosis is
associated with low disease activity and worsening disability.
Ensure compliance with standards
Maintaining a healthy
body mass index (BMI) is another way to reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis.
We know, for example, that being overweight (if the index is above 25)
increases the chances of developing MS.
One study reported, for
example, that people who are obese at age 20 are twice as likely to develop the
disease than people who are not obese.
Interestingly, we know
that obesity may lower vitamin D levels, so both may be very closely related.
Conclusion
We may be too far away
from eradicating multiple sclerosis altogether, but we are certainly on the
right track.
The researchers are
working on distinctive preventive measures that may help us in the future, but
there are things you can do to reduce the risk of exacerbation of multiple
sclerosis at the moment.
Taking care of your body
is one of the best forms of disease prevention.