What is it?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects the myelin or white matter of the brain and spinal cord, causing the appearance of sclerotic plaques that prevent the normal functioning of these nerve fibres.
Myelin is a fatty substance that surrounds and insulates nerves, acting like the covering of an electrical wire and allowing the nerves to transmit their impulses quickly. The speed and efficiency with which these impulses are conducted allow smooth, fast and coordinated movements with little conscious effort.
Multiple sclerosis causes an immune abnormality that often manifests itself in problems with coordination and balance, muscle weakness, visual disturbances, difficulty thinking and memorizing, and sensations of itching, pins and needles or numbness, in addition to other symptoms. The causes of multiple sclerosis are unknown, although there are indications that it may be an immune disease that causes the body to attack its own myelin. To date there is no cure, but a series of drugs and recommendations help to slow its progression.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common of the inflammatory diseases that damage the sheath of nerve fibers (myelin) in the Central Nervous System (CNS). In young adults, it ranks first among neurological disorders that cause disability.
It can produce symptoms such as fatigue, lack of balance, pain, visual and cognitive disturbances, speech difficulties, tremor, etc.
What factors cause it?
The reasons for this condition are currently unknown, however, it is believed that one of the reasons may be a virus or an unknown antigen that enters the body. This ends up causing an abnormality in the immune system, as the body begins to create antibodies against its own myelin which, over time, causes damage to the central nervous system.
What are your main symptoms?
Several studies have found a link between genetics and this disease. If a person has close relatives who have had it, they increase their chances of getting it by 1-10%.
Multiple sclerosis is said to be a disease that tends to occur more in young adults, with the average age of onset being between 29 and 34 years of age. However, the disease can even appear from the age of 10 to 60 years. Both men and women can get it, but more cases have been diagnosed in women.
What are your symptoms?
Like other diseases, sclerosis often manifests a variety of symptoms. These may appear in isolation or all together. The most common are as follows:
– Fatigue
– Double or blurred vision
– Speech problems
– Trembling hands
– Weakness in the limbs
– Loss of strength or sensation in any part of the body
– Dizziness or lack of balance
– Tingling sensation or numbness
– Urinary control problems
– Difficulty walking or coordinating movements
Some people who suffer from it have stated that they feel the symptoms more intensely whenever they are exposed to heat sources.
How can it be prevented?
Because the factors that cause this condition are unknown, it is difficult to determine some ways to prevent it. However, some experts have determined that vitamin D deficiency may actually increase the likelihood of getting vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, it is advisable to expose yourself to the sun’s rays from time to time, as long as you take precautions.
Another way to prevent it is to make regular visits to the neurologist, this will allow us to keep a proper monitoring of our body and detect early if there are any symptoms.
What treatments are available?
One of the most common treatments consists of injecting interferon beta, this substance allows the symptoms to be reduced and delays the development of the disability. Interferon beta is taken by mouth. It is recommended that you consult with a doctor before starting interferon beta.
This treatment usually has some side effects but they will not be shown here.
The diet of people with this condition is usually not changed.
Do you know anyone with this condition?
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