Multiple Sclerosis - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which the nerves of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) degenerate. Myelin, which provides a covering or insulation for nerves, improves the conduction of impulses along the nerves and also is important for maintaining the health of the nerves. In multiple sclerosis, inflammation causes the myelin to eventually disappear. Consequently, the electrical impulses that travel along the nerves decelerate, that is, become slower. In addition, the nerves themselves are damaged. As more and more nerves are affected, a patient experiences a progressive interference with functions that are controlled by the nervous system such as vision, speech, walking, writing, and memory.

Causes

MS is thought to be an auto-immune disease. This means that chemicals and cells of the immune system, which normally attack bacteria, viruses, etc, attack part of the body. When the disease is active, parts of the immune system, mainly cells called T-cells, 'attack' the myelin sheath which surrounds the nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord. This leads to small patches of inflammation.

The cause of MS is still unknown. However, most research suggests that an abnormal response by the immune system damages the myelin sheath. Normally, the immune system protects and defends the body against foreign substances. But with autoimmune diseases, the body attacks its own tissue.

Symptoms

The central nervous system (CNS) controls much of the body's functioning and much of this activity passes through the white matter at some point. It is not surprising, therefore, that a disease which damages white matter can produce a very wide range of symptoms. Indeed, there are few diseases with more potential symptoms than multiple sclerosis.

Early symptoms may include numbness and/or paresthesia, mono- or paraparesis, double vision, optic neuritis, ataxia, and bladder control problems. Subsequent symptoms also include more prominent upper motor neuron signs, i.e.,. increased spasticity, increasing para- or quardriparesis. Vertigo, in coordination and other cerebellar problems, depression, emotional lability, abnormalities in gait, dysarthria, fatigues and pains are also commonly seen.

Treatments and drugs

If your attacks are mild or infrequent, your doctor may advise a wait-and-see approach, with counseling and observation. There are several treatment options for multiple sclerosis. The following is a brief summary of the drugs approved by the FDA to treat multiple sclerosis. For more information, consult your physician.

Medications for relapsing MS

If you have a relapsing form of the disease, your doctor may recommend treatment with disease-modifying medications early in the course of disease. You can't take these medications if you're pregnant or may become pregnant.