Understanding Multiple Sclerosis and its Prognosis

by Stemedix | Oct 23, 2023 | Multiple Sclerosis

Almost one million people in the United States live with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic neurological condition affecting the nerve fibers in the central nervous system. 

Receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is difficult, and it can be even tougher to really understand what that prognosis means in terms of your quality of life. Read more about what a prognosis of MS means for your life expectancy and more. 

What Is Multiple Sclerosis? Symptoms and Causes

MS is an autoimmune condition, which is a type of condition that leads your immune system to attack healthy cells by mistake. With MS, your immune system attacks the cells in myelin, which you can think of as protective covers over the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. The most common symptoms of MS are:

• Fatigue
• Changes in gait
• Tingling or numbness in arms or legs
• Muscle spasms
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of balance
• Loss of coordination

Although the exact causes of multiple sclerosis are not fully understood, scientists believe that certain factors trigger the condition. One of these factors is the exposure to certain bacteria or viruses, including the Epstein-Barr virus. 

Another factor that might trigger MS is your environment. Areas farther from the equator tend to have higher numbers of MS cases, which may mean that those who receive less sun are more at risk because having lower levels of vitamin D seems to be a risk factor. 

Having a family member with MS also increases your chances of developing the condition. It’s not yet clear, however, what gene mutations are responsible for the condition. 

Types of Multiple Sclerosis

Most people assume that there is only one type of MS, but there are four. The most common type is relapsing-remitting MS. With this version of MS, you experience flare-ups with new symptoms or existing symptoms that get worse. You then experience a period of remission.  

Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is another type. People who have the first episode of MS symptoms usually get this diagnosis until they have another episode. Not everyone who has an episode of CIS goes on to develop MS. 

Another version of MS is primary progressive MS. People with this type experience symptoms that gradually get worse without any periods of remission. 

Secondary progressive MS is when you continue to accumulate nerve damage. Symptoms get worse, though you may also experience some flare-ups. Most people with this type of MS do not experience remission. 

Stages of MS and Their Effect on Prognosis

Because MS is a condition that gradually gets worse, the stage in which you receive your diagnosis is an important factor in your prognosis. There are early, middle, and late stages. 

MS, in its early stages, presents with a series of relapses and remissions. You may experience mild to moderate mobility issues, as well as sensory function and cognition problems. When caught at this stage, most people have a better prognosis. 

The middle stage of MS is when the milder symptoms get worse, seriously impacting coordination, mobility, and cognitive function. This is when rehabilitation interventions are crucial. 

The late MS stage is when there’s severe disability, including cognitive decline, mobility impairments, and other complications. To manage daily life, you’ll need substantial assistance at this stage. 

By catching the diagnosis as early as possible, you may have a better prognosis because all manner of interventions is available to help you minimize the progression of the conditon. 

Multiple Sclerosis and Life Expectancy

Although MS is a chronic condition, it doesn’t mean you will have a shorter life. Most people with MS have a life expectancy similar to those in the general population. 

One of the concerns of MS is that it can increase your risk of developing other conditions, including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Urinary tract infections
• Depression
• Osteoporosis

Some of the factors that can make your prognosis better, however, are if you are under 40 when diagnosed and female. 

Your Prognosis: How Doctors Determine It

To give you as accurate a prognosis as possible, doctors consider a variety of clinical facts, including those they obtain from evaluations, image testing, and neurological examinations. To measure the progression of the condtion, most physicians turn to a number of scoring systems, including the Expanded Disability Status Scale. 

This scale assesses the rate of disability throughout many categories. Using the scale to see the progression of the condition over time, your doctor is able to give you a more accurate prognosis. 

Your lifestyle is another factor doctors consider when making your prognosis. If you smoke or drink a significant amount of alcohol, you may have a more negative prognosis. 

This effect is because smoking can accelerate the progression of the illness while also affecting the efficacy of some treatments. By moderating alcohol and stopping the use of nicotine, you can help yourself. 

To improve your prognosis, adding exercise to your daily life is also vital. Regular physical exercise helps improve muscle strength, coordination, balance, and more while also improving your overall mood. 

Your dietary choices also play a role in your prognosis. It is essential to stick to a well-balanced diet that promotes immune function and overall health. This means you want to eat primarily vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. 

Aside from the physical impact of MS in your life, your doctors also consider how the condition affects your psyche. Having a support system is one of the most important things you can do. This support can help you see that you are not alone and boost your mood and hope. 

Living With Multiple Sclerosis

Because multiple sclerosis affects your daily activities, finding ways to live with the condition can be essential. Maintaining an active life and having support are both crucial but so is knowing what treatment options are out there. 

Regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, is a common explored option for the management of MS. By turning to stem cell therapy, you may be able to help slow down progression and help improve symptoms. Consider asking your doctor about stem cell therapy for MS. 

Five Things You Should Know About Multiple Sclerosis

by Stemedix | Sep 18, 2023 | Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common neurological conditions in the world, but it is still not widely understood by many people. While you have likely heard of multiple sclerosis, or MS, you may not be familiar with what it is, how it occurs, and the symptoms it causes.

Understanding MS is important, as it could one day affect you or someone you care about. The following are five essential things you should know about multiple sclerosis.

What Multiple Sclerosis Is

Multiple sclerosis is a neurodegenerative autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack its own nerves. When you have multiple sclerosis, your immune system targets the myelin sheath of the nerve. The myelin sheath is the outer protective covering that keeps your nerve safe from damage. 

When the myelin sheath is broken down, it makes the inner nerve more vulnerable. When your nerve incurs damage or scarring, it can impact the way it functions. This leads to disruptions in the communication between your nerves and the various systems throughout your body.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic condition that can be progressive when not managed well. In many cases, multiple sclerosis occurs in waves, with distinct flare-ups and then periods of remission. 

Stress, underlying illness, and malnutrition can all lead to flare-ups or an increase in symptoms. If managed accordingly, you may not experience an MS flare-up for months to years at a time.

Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Since multiple sclerosis affects the nerves in your spinal cord, it can lead to a wide variety of symptoms. The following are some of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis:

• Fatigue
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Difficulty walking
• Deconditioning of the muscles
• Weakness
• Visual disturbances
• Vertigo
• Dizziness
• Bladder dysfunction
• Emotional damages
• Depression

These symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. They can also vary according to the stage of your disease. 

People in the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis often have very mild symptoms and have no indication of a neurological condition. For this reason, most people are not diagnosed until they have had MS for several years and their symptoms have increased in frequency or severity.

In too many instances, patients are misdiagnosed when they present with early signs of multiple sclerosis. Other conditions like transverse myelitis may be mistaken for MS because many of the symptoms overlap. 

To confirm a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, in-depth testing, including MRI imaging, blood panels, and a lumbar puncture, should be completed.

Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis

The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is not known, but there are certain risk factors that can be associated with developing this disease. These risk factors include:

• Lack of vitamin D or sun exposure
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Being between the ages of 20 and 40

Some studies have suggested that having a first-degree relative with multiple sclerosis may increase your likelihood of developing the disease. There is not enough conclusive evidence to confirm this, but a family history of MS should be shared with your doctor if you are concerned about having this condition.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Options

With advancements in the medical field, multiple sclerosis treatment has come very far in recent years. Treating MS can include any combination of the following approaches:

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids like prednisone and intravenous methylprednisolone are often used to control nerve inflammation in MS patients. However, these come with side effects that can impact your everyday life. These side effects include insomnia, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, mood swings, and fluid retention.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies like Ofatumumab target the cells that damage your nervous system when you have multiple sclerosis. These drugs are given in an injection under the skin and can significantly improve brain lesions in MS patients. Potential side effects include headaches and infection at the injection site.

Physical Therapy

Many people who have multiple sclerosis struggle with mobility issues, such as difficulty walking or impaired fine motor skills. To address these concerns, physical therapy may be used. Physical therapy can guide you through customized movements and exercises to strengthen your muscles and make certain movements easier.

Muscle Relaxants

Sometimes, the tremors and mobility issues associated with multiple sclerosis cause muscle stiffness and pain. Muscle relaxants may be used to reduce rigidity and lead to more comfortable movement. 

Stem Cell Therapy

Another option for multiple sclerosis treatment is regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy. This alternative option uses your body’s own cells to initiate a healing response wherever damage is present. 

When it comes to multiple sclerosis, stem cell injections can be used to repair and regenerate nerves within the spinal cord. These injections can slow the progression of your condition and alleviate some of your more severe symptoms.

How Your Medical Team Can Help

One of the most important things to know about multiple sclerosis is that proper treatment requires a team of specialists. To adequately manage your MS and keep flare-ups at bay, your medical team should include any combination of the following physicians:

• Primary care physician
• Neurologist
• Physical therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Speech therapist
• Psychologist or psychiatrist
• Nutritionist

It is important to acknowledge that every patient is different and will not require all of these doctors. Your medical team should be tailored to meet your unique needs. 

For example, you may need a speech therapist if your multiple sclerosis causes difficulty speaking. Other patients may experience more difficulty with movement than speech. These patients will benefit from a physical therapist. 

Mental health providers such as psychologists and psychiatrists can also be added to your medical team to help you navigate the mental toll that MS can cause. Many people find that having multiple sclerosis leads to feelings of anxiety or depression, which can be worked through with a mental health physician. 

If you are struggling with a recent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, speak to your general physician about your treatment options and referrals to other specialists who can help you manage your condition.

Diagnosis & Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

by Stemedix | Aug 7, 2023 | Multiple Sclerosis

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and potentially disabling autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The central nervous system comprises the brain and the spinal cord, which are responsible for transmitting signals between the body and the brain to control various bodily functions.

In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers, known as myelin, which leads to inflammation and damage to the myelin sheath. This demyelination disrupts the normal transmission of electrical signals along the nerves. Additionally, MS may cause damage to the underlying nerve fibers and, in some cases, result in the formation of scar tissue (sclerosis) at the damaged sites.

The course of multiple sclerosis can be unpredictable, with periods of relapses (exacerbations or flare-ups) followed by periods of remission (partial or complete recovery). Over time, MS may lead to accumulated neurological damage, leading to increasing disability in some individuals.

The cause of multiple sclerosis is not entirely understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is currently no cure for MS, but various disease-modifying therapies and some alternative therapies may help manage the symptoms, reduce the frequency and severity of relapses, and slow the progression of the disease.

What Are Symptoms and Early Signs of Multiple Sclerosis?

Signs and symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can vary widely among individuals and may depend on the location and extent of nerve damage. Some common signs that may indicate the possibility of MS include:

Vision Problems: Blurred or double vision, pain during eye movement, or partial loss of vision may occur due to inflammation of the optic nerve.

Numbness and Tingling: Sensations of pins and needles, numbness, or a “prickling” feeling in various parts of the body, such as the face, arms, legs, or trunk.

Muscle Weakness: Weakness in the arms or legs, difficulty lifting or holding objects, and problems with coordination and balance.

Fatigue: Extreme tiredness, often unrelated to physical exertion, and a feeling of exhaustion that can interfere with daily activities.

Balance and Coordination Issues: Difficulty walking steadily, stumbling, or experiencing problems with coordination, which may lead to falls.

Bladder and Bowel Problems: Difficulty controlling urination, frequent urination, urgency to urinate, or constipation.

Cognitive Changes: Problems with memory, attention, concentration, and other aspects of cognitive function.

Pain and Spasms: MS can cause various types of pain, including nerve pain, muscle spasms, and general discomfort.

Emotional Changes: Mood swings, depression, anxiety, or emotional lability (rapid shifts in emotions).

Heat Sensitivity: Some individuals with MS experience worsening symptoms when exposed to heat, such as hot weather or hot baths.

It’s important to note that these symptoms are not exclusive to MS and can be associated with other medical conditions as well. Additionally, the course of MS can be unpredictable, with symptoms varying over time, and some individuals may have mild symptoms, while others may experience more severe effects.

If you notice any of these signs or have concerns about your health, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the nervous system. 

Who Do I See if I Think I Have Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?

If you suspect that you have symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), it’s important to seek medical attention promptly. The first healthcare professional to consult is usually your primary care physician or family doctor. They will listen to your concerns, conduct a thorough medical history, and perform a physical examination to assess your symptoms and rule out other possible causes.

If your doctor finds the symptoms concerning or suspects neurological involvement, they may refer you to a neurologist, who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the nervous system. The neurologist will conduct a comprehensive neurological examination, which may include tests to assess your reflexes, coordination, balance, strength, and sensory functions. They may also order additional tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and/or spinal cord, to look for signs of demyelination and other characteristic features of MS.

Based on the results of these evaluations, the neurologist can make a definitive diagnosis and discuss treatment options if MS is confirmed. Early diagnosis is essential to start appropriate treatment and symptom management as soon as possible.

Remember that MS symptoms can mimic those of other conditions, and diagnosing MS can be complex. Therefore, it’s crucial to collaborate closely with healthcare professionals and be open about any symptoms you may be experiencing. They will work together to ensure you receive the most accurate diagnosis and develop a suitable treatment plan tailored to your needs.

What Are Treatment Options for Multiple Sclerosis?

The treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) aims to manage symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, reduce the frequency and severity of relapses, and improve the overall quality of life. The choice of treatment depends on the type of MS, the severity of symptoms, and the individual’s response to therapy. Treatment options for MS can be broadly categorized into the following:

Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs): These medications are designed to modify the course of MS by reducing inflammation, decreasing the frequency and severity of relapses, and slowing the progression of disability. 

Symptomatic Treatments: These treatments focus on managing specific MS symptoms to improve daily functioning and quality of life. For example, corticosteroids, muscle relaxants, physical, rehabilitation, and occupational therapies, pain medications, lifestyle and diet management.

Regenerative Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis

Regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy,  holds promise as a potential future approach for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The field of regenerative medicine aims to repair, replace, or regenerate damaged tissues and organs to restore their normal function. In the context of MS, the focus is on regenerating or repairing the damaged myelin and nerve cells in the central nervous system (CNS).

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promise as a potential therapeutic approach for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) due to their immunomodulatory and regenerative properties. These stem cells can be isolated from various tissues, such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord tissue, and they possess the ability to differentiate into multiple cell types, including bone, cartilage, and fat cells.

When MSCs are used as a potential treatment for MS, their mechanisms of action may include the following:

• Immunomodulation: MSCs have the unique ability to suppress excessive immune responses and regulate the immune system. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath, leading to inflammation and nerve damage. MSCs can help reduce this autoimmune response and limit inflammation by releasing anti-inflammatory molecules and interacting with immune cells.
• Anti-Inflammatory Effects: MSCs release a variety of anti-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which can help reduce the inflammation around the damaged nerves.
• Promotion of Myelin Repair: MSCs can support the repair and regeneration of damaged myelin sheaths in the CNS. They release growth factors and other molecules that stimulate the activation and differentiation of cells that promote myelin repair.
• Neuroprotection: MSCs have been found to have neuroprotective effects, meaning they can help protect nerve cells from further damage caused by inflammation and oxidative stress.
• Reducing Scar Formation: In MS, the formation of scar tissue (sclerosis) can occur at the sites of nerve damage. MSCs have been shown to modulate the formation of scar tissue, which may promote a more favorable environment for nerve repair.

Individuals interested in MSC-based therapies for MS should consult with a regenerative medicine specialist to explore potential treatment options they may have available to them.