The central nervous system is made up the spinal cord and the brain. Multiple sclerosis is disease that attacks the central nervous system leading to a chronic and often debilitating life for the victim. The myelin sheath is a fatty coating that protects the nerves to the central nervous system. Patients with multiple sclerosis have antibodies and white blood cells which chronically attack the myelin sheath, as the body mistakes it for a foreign substance. This causes damage and inflammation to the sheath and eventually to the nerves which it is designed to protect.
Multiple sclerosis affects approximately 300,000 patients in the United States alone. It is unpredictable and can range in its severity. Twice as many women are diagnosed worldwide with multiple sclerosis as men, and as many as 1 million people in the word suffer from M.S. Most people begin to show the first signs of a deteriorating nervous system anywhere between ages 20 and 40.
Not all patients will experience the same symptoms, as symptoms tend to vary not only by severity, but also by which part of the nervous system is under the heaviest attack. Symptoms are likely to include numbness or weakness that is typically dominant on one side of the body, or affects the lower half of the body, eye pain when the eyes movement, gradual loss of vision usually starting with one eye and then involving the second, random tingling throughout the body, pain, double vision, blurry vision, fatigue, dizziness, tremor, loss of coordination, inability to walk steadily, the sensations of electric shocks with specific head movements, sexual dysfunction, bowel and bladder control problems, slurred speech, muscle stiffness, spastic muscle movements, forgetfulness, changes in behavior, or paralysis.
Multiple sclerosis is caused by a misfiring immune system that attacks the myelin of the spinal cord and the brain. The myelin is a fatty substance that insulates the nervous system and protects it from damage. It is not clear why some patients develop this misfiring of the immune system while others do not, although a combination of genetics and the contraction of a virus that retains a similar make up to the protein in the myelin are likely factors. A patient with multiple sclerosis is likely to experience symptoms at a higher degree after the immune system has been active such as after a cold, or the flu or any type of illness. This increased activity of the immune system is known as exacerbation.
Risk factors are basically unknown, although there is speculation among the scientific community. Factors such as geographical location, heredity, and environmental factors may contribute to a patient’s susceptibility to developing multiple sclerosis. People who live in temperate climates, have exposure to viruses and bacteria, and have a relative with multiple sclerosis seem to develop the disease more than others.
There is no test to determine if a patient is experiencing multiple sclerosis. M.S. is usually diagnosed through a variety of factors, and there is no other better explanation for the symptoms being reported. A neurological examination can help to determine the state of the nervous system. Imaging exams such as MRIs and spinal taps may be performed to rule out other possible causes for the symptoms, and an evoked potential test can measure the electrical stimulation the brain receives. A medical history as well as a family medical history should be assessed at the time of determining which tests the patient should receive.
Sometimes multiple sclerosis is left untreated, in mild cases the physician may feel this is the best alternative sot he medication may be more effective later. In other cases medications such as beta interferons, muscle relaxants, medications to reduce fatigue, and medications for depression, bowels, bladder, and muscle stiffness.
It’s important that patients with multiple sclerosis get enough rest to reduce fatigue, keep cool and avoid exposure to too much heat, and exercise as much as possible. Dealing with multiple sclerosis can be painful, exhausting and frustrating, and maintaining a healthy diet and a positive outlook can help tremendously. Research as it pertains to multiple sclerosis is still searching for a cure. There is hope that the future will look much brighter for victims of M.S.
Multiple sclerosis videos
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Living With Multiple Sclerosis
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Find out more by viewing the Human Anatomy page:
Autonomic nervous system
Central nervous system
Peripheral nervous system
Medication commonly used for these disease:
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Sirdalud is a brand name for the generic drug tizanidine hydrochloride. It is a short-acting medication that is used for the management of muscle spasticity, spasms, cramping, and tightness caused by certain medical conditions, including multiple scleros more...
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Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant, which means it is a drug whose purpose is to weaken the immune system. It is the generic name for a drug that goes under the brand names Imuran, Azasan, and Azamun, and is available in tablet form, as an injection, or more...
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Lioresal, also known genetically as baclofen, is used as a muscle relaxant and is commonly prescribed to patients that suffer from muscle spasms, pain and stiffness from multiple sclerosis. The common form of Lioresal is a white, scored tablet of 10 mg o more...
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Zanaflex, which is generically prescribed as tizanidine, is commonly used as a short acting muscle relaxant to treat the symptoms and pain related to muscle spasms. While assisting the muscles into relaxation, it also blocks the brain’s ability to perceiv more...
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Dexamethasone, which also comes under the brand names of Decadron, Decaject, Dexamethasone Intensol, Dexpak and Solurex, is a corticosteroid. It is a synthetic version of hormones which usually occur naturally in the human body; doctors prescribe it to r more...
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Deltasone is a brand name for the drug predisone, in the steroid classification of drugs. It is used to reduce swelling, but also lowers the immune system. It comes in tablets and is prescribed for several different problems. These can include endocrin more...
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Prednisolone is a glucocortoid, which is an adrenocortical steroid that occurs both naturally and artificially and given as a syrup. It is given for several different illnesses and conditions: more...
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Baclofen is the generic name of a drug indicated for conditions affecting the central nervous system like spinal cord injuries, spastic diplegia (a type of cerebral palsy), multiple sclerosis (a chronic inflammatory disease of the nervous system), amyotro more...
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Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid that can be taken orally, via pills or liquid suspension, or through intramuscular injections. It is a synthetic steroid hormone that mimics cortisol and is primarily used for its suppressive effect on inflammation more...
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Tizadine is a centrally acting a-2 adrenergic agonist that is used as a muscle relaxant for the treatment of cramping, tightness of muscles, spasms, and symptoms caused by spastic diplegia, back pain, multiple sclerosis, mild muscle pain, or grievous inju more...
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