It’s 31st May and people around you are celebrating Multiple Sclerosis day. You don’t have any idea what it is and want to learn more about it. You searched it on google and If you are lucky enough, your cursor has taken you to a perfect Article to know about this disease. Learn everything from NaeTaze about this disease in this Article!
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease associated with damage to the Myelin Sheath. Myelin sheath is an insulating sheath that surrounds nerves. Nerves main role is control and coordination of all body parts. The damage to Myelin causes delay or blockage of messages between the brain and other organs. Therefore, it is serious. Why? Because it can disable the brain and spinal cord which could even lead to death. That’s why everyone must know about it.
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS):
Following are the symptoms:
1) Fatigue
2) Numbness
3) Weak sight
4) Weakness
5) Abnormal sensations
In addition to these, depression and anxiety are the lesser common symptoms.
The damage due to MS depends on Two factors.
- Which nerve immune system attacks
- The amount of myelin damage caused.
If the affected nerve is used to send messages to important organs like the heart or liver, it can cause a lot of damage. However, if the affected nerve takes messages to lesser important parts or organs, its damaging potential is less.
Similarly, more myelin damage means the chances are high and vice versa.
Causes of Multiple Sclerosis(MS):
As of yet, scientists don’t know the real cause of MS disease. However, there are speculations that Immune System attacks its own tissues. Thus, the immune system’s aggressiveness causes Myelin damage. But why?
Scientists have suggested that there could be two reasons for this:
1) Environmental
2) Genetics
Environmental factors-There are observations that Temperate (Cold) Countries report more cases than hotter countries. This could be the reason Canada has the most number of MS cases than any other country.
The other stats support that, this disease has very low cases in South Asia and Africa. This also gives us a hint that this disease can have a connection with Vitamin D.
Genetics-If your brother or sister has this disease, chances are you have it too.
Furthermore, Northern European Descendants are more prone to this disease due to their gene pool.
Types of MS:
1) Clinically Isolated Syndrome:
Clinically located Syndrome (CIS) is the Pre- MS condition. It is the first course of among other types. In this, one symptom appears that lasts for 24 hours.
Understandably, It is impossible to diagnose this type due to low severity of symptoms.
2) Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS):
In this, there are clear relapses of disease activity. Remissions are followed after the symptoms.
This type is the most common type of MS. Around 85 percent of MS patients fall under this category. Therefore, the seriousness of this type cannot be denied.
3) Primary Progressive MS (PPMS):
In this type, the Central Nervous System gets worse. Thus, more and more symptoms appear. It occurs only in 10 percent of MS patients. So, it is less important than RRMS.
4) Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS):
It is the type in which RRMS transitions happens into progressive form. So, RRMS patients eventually jump to this type in a matter of time.
Diagnosis:
Mostly, 2 techniques are used for MS diagnosis:
1) MRI Scan:
All the brain damage due to Myelin’s poor condition can be observed via an MRI scan. Thus, we can see the impacted areas in digital images.
2) Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT):
There are nerve layers in the back of your eye. In an OCT, the picture is taken of such nerves and a myelin condition is observed. Thus, a deduction can be made from this about whether MS disease is their or not?
Conclusion:
Long story short, Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological disease in which myelin is damaged. It has four types, each has different severity of symptoms and impacts. What are the real reasons for its occurrence is unknown. However, scientists have made some claims about the causes which are Genetics and Environment. Therefore, more research is the need of the hour. Without proper research, no one can confirm what is the real cause of this disease. Therefore, viable treatment is not available yet.
Also Read: Shocking: Eating High-Fat Foods and Heart Failure Connection.
