Multiple Sclerosis

A disease with its origin still a mystery among medical practitioners and scientists, Multiple Sclerosis or MS is a serious health condition that slowly destroys the central nervous system. This illness is referred to as a "demyelinating disease" because it attacks the myelin sheath -- a fatty tissue that protects the neurons or brain cells and assists the neurons in transmitting messages from the human brain to the different areas of the body. The actual term "multiple sclerosis" really means "many scars" (sclerosis) along the protective covering of neurons or myelin sheaths. Because this disease targets the human brain cells, the effects are numerous and damaging.

This disease can be classified into four kinds -- relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive, and progressive relapsing. In the first kind, patients experience sudden attacks that are followed by a state of remission. In patients with secondary progressive MS, they experience a continuous deterioration of the nerve system. Those who suffer from primary progressive MS never experience any kind of remission right after the first attack. As for the last type, patients with progressive relapsing MS both experiences continuous deterioration of the nerve system and sudden attacks.

Causes and factors that can provoke MS attacks
The exact cause of Multiple Sclerosis is still unknown but scientists were able to think of different theories. One theory is that this disease is triggered by a previous viral infection that makes the immune system behave in such a way that it attacks its own cells, especially its own neurons. Many scientists also think that MS is an autoimmune disorder because another theory suggests that patients who were not that exposed to diseases when they were children are more prone to MS. Another theory adopted from the idea that this condition is an autoimmune disease -- the immune system recognizes its own brain cells as foreign substances -- states that this condition is a natural response of the body to an infection caused by the following agents -- Epstein-Barr virus, the spirochetal bacteria, and the Chlamydophila pneumoniae type of bacteria.

Other scientists have suggested that a severe lack in vitamin D plays a part in the outbreak of MS, along with smoking habits. Although MS is really not a hereditary condition, genetics still play a part in the outbreak of MS because a person's genetic make-up can indicate if he is prone to MS later on.

Syptoms and fffects of the Multiple Sclerosis
MS can cause a lot of symptoms and devastating effects on a patient. These symptoms can include a sudden loss in sensory perceptions termed as hypoesthesia, depression or emotional disturbances, and several kinds of visual impairment -- diplopia, nystagmus, and optic neuritis. Other symptoms are Dysarthria (difficulty in speech), loss of balance (ataxia), and dysphagia or problems in swallowing. Patients with this disorder are also likely to endure tiredness or fatigue, difficulties in urinating and in excretion of solid wastes, and problems in creating thoughts, ideas, reasoning, and memory (loss of cognitive abilities).

Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis
Since there is really no cure for this disease, there are certain therapies that have been developed so as to help patients cope with the symptoms. These drugs -- Mitoxantrone, Natalizumab, Glatiramer Acetate, and Interferons are some examples of the medications administered to patients with MS. Rehabilitation therapies are also available for those who were disabled by this disease.

Multiple Sclerosis Prevention
As of today, there are still no definitive ways of preventing the outbreak of MS since its origins are not yet fully known. However, for those who are medically recognized as MS patients, certain tips can be followed so as to prevent an attack or minimize the effect of an attack. One is to avoid extreme heat since overheating is known to trigger MS attacks. Since smoking is an external factor that could increase the chances of getting this disease, it is better to give up your smoking habits so as to avoid the detrimental effects of multiple sclerosis.