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.
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