Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease diagnosed primarily in young adults, who often start to feel symptoms between 20 and 40 years.
Multiple sclerosis (from the Greek 'hardening') is a disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain, brain stem and spinal cord.
Myelin, the substance that coats nerve fibers, is damaged, and then the ability of nerves to lead the orders of the brain is interrupted.
This is the most common chronic disease in young adults in Europe and the second leading cause of disability in this population group, after accidents.
Most researchers believe that MS is an autoimmune disease in which the body launches a defensive attack against its own tissues, including myelin.
For this reason, it is possible that these attacks of immune system are associated with an environmental component of unknown origin, perhaps a virus.
Probably some genetic predisposition also plays the role.
Symptoms There are no typical symptoms of MS to assist with the initial diagnosis.
Even it is usual that the first episodes go unnoticed by the vagueness of the symptoms.
Often the first signs appear as vision problems, either in the form of blurred vision, double vision or vision loss.
Most patients also experience abnormal sensations such as tingling, numbness and itching, loss of strength in the arms or legs, and disorders of balance or coordination.
Also common are dizziness, problems urinating or defecating, nonspecific pain, changes in character, and so on.
Types of Multiple Sclerosis The appearance and disappearance of unexplained symptoms usually characterize the initial diagnosis of MS.
Although each individual shows a different evolution, the disease usually manifests itself first in a series of attacks, followed by a complete or partial remission, which is subsequently repeated with alternating periods of improvement.
This is known as multiple sclerosis, relapse-remission, the most common form of the disease.
For its part, the secondary-progressive form begins as above but then gradually gets worse, with no significant improvement and an accumulation of neurological symptoms.
In other cases, these disorders progress slowly from the beginning with little relief, but no clear improvement (primary-progressive MS).
Over time, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, balance problems, muscle stiffness, tingling and the other disorders such as bladder control, pain or fatigue may become more frequent and severe.
In addition, 20% of patients suffering from a benign form of the disease in which symptoms regress after the initial attack and then the patients continue with a virtually normal life.
In the case of malignant sclerosis, deterioration is rapid and progressive and has a significant disability.
In very rare cases the disease is fatal but most patients have a normal life expectancy.
Diagnosis MRI and the study of cerebrospinal fluid are done to confirm the diagnosis.
MRI can help locate the lesions in the central nervous system.
These are called 'plaques' and are areas where myelin has been lost.
Usually they are small and scattered in a diffuse pattern.
Other sites of lesions are the optic nerves, the brain stem and spinal cord.
The specific treatment of each symptom is important to offer a better quality of life for patients, while rehabilitation is designed to preserve the functionality in their daily lives and prevent further disabilities.
They often require nursing care and psychological care.
Multiple sclerosis (from the Greek 'hardening') is a disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain, brain stem and spinal cord.
Myelin, the substance that coats nerve fibers, is damaged, and then the ability of nerves to lead the orders of the brain is interrupted.
This is the most common chronic disease in young adults in Europe and the second leading cause of disability in this population group, after accidents.
Most researchers believe that MS is an autoimmune disease in which the body launches a defensive attack against its own tissues, including myelin.
For this reason, it is possible that these attacks of immune system are associated with an environmental component of unknown origin, perhaps a virus.
Probably some genetic predisposition also plays the role.
Symptoms There are no typical symptoms of MS to assist with the initial diagnosis.
Even it is usual that the first episodes go unnoticed by the vagueness of the symptoms.
Often the first signs appear as vision problems, either in the form of blurred vision, double vision or vision loss.
Most patients also experience abnormal sensations such as tingling, numbness and itching, loss of strength in the arms or legs, and disorders of balance or coordination.
Also common are dizziness, problems urinating or defecating, nonspecific pain, changes in character, and so on.
Types of Multiple Sclerosis The appearance and disappearance of unexplained symptoms usually characterize the initial diagnosis of MS.
Although each individual shows a different evolution, the disease usually manifests itself first in a series of attacks, followed by a complete or partial remission, which is subsequently repeated with alternating periods of improvement.
This is known as multiple sclerosis, relapse-remission, the most common form of the disease.
For its part, the secondary-progressive form begins as above but then gradually gets worse, with no significant improvement and an accumulation of neurological symptoms.
In other cases, these disorders progress slowly from the beginning with little relief, but no clear improvement (primary-progressive MS).
Over time, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, balance problems, muscle stiffness, tingling and the other disorders such as bladder control, pain or fatigue may become more frequent and severe.
In addition, 20% of patients suffering from a benign form of the disease in which symptoms regress after the initial attack and then the patients continue with a virtually normal life.
In the case of malignant sclerosis, deterioration is rapid and progressive and has a significant disability.
In very rare cases the disease is fatal but most patients have a normal life expectancy.
Diagnosis MRI and the study of cerebrospinal fluid are done to confirm the diagnosis.
MRI can help locate the lesions in the central nervous system.
These are called 'plaques' and are areas where myelin has been lost.
Usually they are small and scattered in a diffuse pattern.
Other sites of lesions are the optic nerves, the brain stem and spinal cord.
The specific treatment of each symptom is important to offer a better quality of life for patients, while rehabilitation is designed to preserve the functionality in their daily lives and prevent further disabilities.
They often require nursing care and psychological care.
SHARE
