MULTIPLE

SCLEROSIS

HISTORYThe earliest description of MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS) was recorded in Holland in August 4, 1421. But the researchers say that the history was actually begun in 19th century.

The first actual case was diagnosed in the year 1849. It was Dr. Jean Martin Charcot who gave the signs and symptoms of MS for the first time.

DEFINITIONMultiple Sclerosis is an Auto Immune Disease in which the body starts to destroy itself.

It is a life-long disease with no cure, can control symptoms.

In MS, the body attacks and destroys the fatty tissue called Myelin that insulates an axon/nerve, and is called demyelination.

If damage is severe, it can also destroy the nerve/axon itself.

MS affects the central nervous system and inflames the white matter in the brain which creates plaques.

DEMYELINATION

AREAS AFFECTED DUE TO MS

MS affects the following areas of human body:

BrainSpinal cordOptic nerves

ETIOLOGYInfectionPhysical injuryEmotional stressExcessive fatiguePregnancyPoor state of health

TYPES OF MS

Relapsing – remitting MSPrimary – progressive MSProgressive – relapsing MSSecondary – progressive MS

Following are the different types of MS:

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO MS

Environmental factorsGenetic factorsEpigenetic, post genomic and regulatory eventsInternal state of mindGenome allelic variants

VARIOUS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MS

Memory lossDepressionUrinary and bowel problemsWeakness and exhaustionDifficulty in walkingVision impairmentTingling and numbness of skin and limbs

CAUSES OF MSThe exact cause of the Multiple Sclerosis is unknown.

In MS affected patients, a higher number of immune cells can be seen which suggests that there might be an immune response, this is suspected due to a virus or the gene defect.

Other causes may be mostly related to environmental and hereditary .

DIAGNOSISNo single test to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis.

Diagnosis relies recognition of clinical patterns of the disease as well as the exclusion of the possible mimics.

Waxing and waning neurological deficit is the Hall mark of the disease.

Supported by MRI studies, CSF & provoked potential studies.

TREATMENT FOR MSAlthough there is no cure for the MS, treatment aims to reduce the number of relapse or attacks and to decrease the severity when they occur.

Some of the treatments for MS are:

Medications Chemotherapy Occupational therapy MRI devoted to neurological imaging

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

YogaAromatherapyAcupunctureHomeopathyMeditationReflexologyDietary supplementsHerbal medicationChiropracticPhysiotherapy