Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is the disease of brain and spinal cord. In this disease, immune system attacks the myelin. Myelin basically covers nerve fiber and causes communication between the brain and the other parts of the body.
This disease can cause permanent damage of the nerves which take part in the communication of the body. Some people with Multiple sclerosis can lose the ability to even walk properly and depend completely on the others. There is no known cure for Multiple sclerosis but the treatment helps in recovery and reduces the attacking tissues.
Experts say that it increases the temperature of patient’s body and it is the worst sign but this is not the consideration of two diseases of relapses. About fifty percent of people suffer from relapsing.
Causes for Multiple sclerosis
The main causes of Multiple sclerosis are still unknown but experts say that it is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues and it is called malfunctioning of immune system. In this condition, immune system destroys the coat and protecting of brain and myelin. When the myelin is damaged, nerve fiber is exposed because of the damaging of protective layer of myelin. The causes of this condition are not clear and it could very well be the combination of genetic and environmental factors. These factors include Age, Sex, Futility history, Smoking, Autoimmune system disease, Vitamin D levels, Race specific infections, Climate etc.
Multiple sclerosis can occur in any age but it usually occurs in the age of twenty to forty years but it can affect young people as well. Women are more likely to get Multiple sclerosis as compared to men. Genes are another cause of Multiple sclerosis. If there is a family history of multiple sclerosis, the patient is more likely to get Multiple sclerosis. Climate plays an important role in spreading Multiple sclerosis.
People who smoke may develop a severity of the disease and worsened symptoms. People who get early symptoms should immediately stop smoking because tobacco smoking is extremely harmful for Multiple sclerosis patient. There are many viruses which have a direct link with Multiple sclerosis like of Epstein-Bars. This virus causes Multiple sclerosis in the body the other cause is Vitamin D. If body has high level or low level Vitamin D, it increases the chances of MS in the body.
Complication for Multiple Sclerosis
People who are suffering from Multiple sclerosis have more chances developing the other disease in the body. These disease causes muscle stiffness problem, bladder problem, mood swings and paralysis etc. These all are the complications which patient has to suffer during Multiple sclerosis and this leads to a poor quality of life for the patient.
Signs/Symptoms
Signs and symptoms are may differ from patient to patient because it depends upon the affected area of the nerve fiber. The symptoms and signs include blurry vision, double vision, partial and complete loss of vision, pain while movement of eyeball. All these signs and symptoms are related to the eye vision because it is known for causing eye related problems.
The other symptoms are fatigue, pain in different part of body, bladder problems, problem of bowel, slurred in speech, weakness in limbs that usually occur in one side of body. Among other symptoms are electric shocks and dizziness etc. These symptoms are related to Multiple sclerosis. [1]
Diagnosis and treatment of Multiple sclerosis
There are many diagnoses suggested by doctors but there is no specific test for Multiple sclerosis. Doctors may suggest blood test, MRI and more tests to check for multiple sclerosis in the patient. If the patient is suffering from Multiple sclerosis.
In some cases, spinal fluid is taken from the spinal cord and sent to laboratory analysis. The results of this test show the abnormality in the anti-bodies which are directly associated with Multiple sclerosis. This spinal tab can also be very helpful in finding many other infections as well. It is very useful because it revels the area of Multiple Sclerosis in patient’s brain and spinal cord. It may receive an injection to highlight the areas where the disease could be active.
In this test, doctors will check the moving patterns of stimuli when the jerk is applied to the arms and legs. There are electrodes present here which are able to check how quickly information is travelling through brain and spinal cord. It is usually diagnosed through the MRI but it is more difficult to diagnose in the patient who feels unusual symptoms or have other progressive diseases. In these rare cases, the spinal fluid is used to test in laboratories and many other additional tests are also needed. [2]
Treatment for Multiple sclerosis
There is still no proven treatment for Multiple sclerosis but the main purpose of treatment is to stop the spread of disease in other parts of the body. Some people have minimum amount of symptoms, so they don’t need any treatment but the patient who is suffering from severe symptoms may need urgent treatment.
Possible treatments of Multiple sclerosis attack include Corticosteroid and plasmapheresis. In corticosteroid, nerve inflammation is reduced by oral prednisone, and intravenous methylprednisolone. But this also have side effect like insomnia, high blood pressure, mood swings and fluid retention etc.
The other treatment is plasma exchange. In this process, a very small portion of plasma is separated from blood cells. This can be mixed with the protein solution and put pack into the body. The other possible treatments include:
- Interferon beta medication.
- Copaxone Glatopa.
There are many therapies which are also very helpful for treating Multiple sclerosis in the patient. Doctors suggest these therapies to overcome the disease and restore the movement of body parts. There therapies include.
- Physical therapy.
- Muscle relaxment.
- Medications to reduce fatigue.
- Medication to increase walk.
References:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/multiple-sclerosis/
