Living With Multiple Sclerosis
October 26, 2009
Multiple Sclerosis or MS is an autoimmune disease. The immune cells of the body attack the spinal cord and the nerves of the brain. In this disease, the covering of the nerve cells, known as the myelin, is damaged by the body’s immune system.
In the absence of myelin, electrical signals could not be transmitted through the brain and spinal cord. Multiple Sclerosis is one of the major causes of disability in adulthood. This autoimmune disease does not occur during childhood. People above 50 are least likely to develop this condition. It has been observed that compared to men, women have greater risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis causes
The exact causes of multiple sclerosis are unknown. According to researchers, people with a family history of multiple sclerosis have a greater risk of developing this condition. Studies have found that ethnicity might determine the risk of this disease. People of northern European origin are more likely to suffer from this disease. This disease occurs largely among people living in the temperate regions.
Moving to the temperate region before adolescence might increase the risk of acquiring multiple sclerosis during middle age. Some researchers suggest that measles, herpes and certain flu viruses might be responsible for triggering this condition. It is believed that sometimes activities of sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone in women and testosterone in men, might suppress the immune response, leading to multiple sclerosis.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis
The symptoms of multiple sclerosis include muscle weakness, poor coordination, blurry vision, double vision, loss of vision, numbness, tingling sensation, dizziness and urinary incontinence. Depending on which part of the central nervous system has been affected by the disease, the symptoms might differ from person to person. As the disease progresses, the symptoms become worse.
Multiple sclerosis treatment
Certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis, such as muscle pain, muscle stiffness and urinary incontinence could be treated with medications. Medications are also available that can arrest further progress of the disease.
Since fatigue is one of the major symptoms of this disease, people suffering from multiple sclerosis should get enough rest. Exercises, especially swimming, help to improve muscle strength and muscle coordination. To strengthen the immune system, people suffering from this condition should follow a healthy diet.
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