What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an illness diagnosed in over 400,000 persons in the United States today. Even now, much is to be learned. In brief, what is known about MS is that it is signified by more than one (multiple) area of inflammation and scarring of the myelin in the brain and spinal cord. Myelin is the tissue that covers and protects our nerve fibers. When this occurs, nerve "communication" is disrupted. Thus, a person with MS experiences varying degrees of neurological impairment depending on the location and extent of the scarring. Although there is no known cure for MS at this time, there is much that can be done to make your life easier.


What Causes MS?

Although a specific cause of MS has not yet been determined, several theories are considered plausible. MS is an “autoimmune” disease, in which, for unknown reasons, the body’s immune system begins to attack normal body tissue. In the case of MS, the body attacks the cells that make myelin.

Recent data suggest that common viruses may play a role in the cause of MS. If so, MS may be caused by a persistent viral infection or alternatively, by an immune process initiated by a transient viral infection in the central nervous system or elsewhere in the body. Environmental studies indicating where MS exists and where it is absent, suggest that there is a triggering factor. It appears that some factor-most likely infectious-must be encountered before the age of 16 in order for the disease to be triggered later in life.

MS is not transmitted genetically but research indicates an increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, appears to be at least partly genetic. MS itself is not a hereditary disease, but the hereditary factor may make an individual susceptible to its development.


Who Gets MS?

MS is more common in women, appears more frequently in whites than in Hispanics or African Americans and is relatively rare among Asians and certain other groups.

Ninety percent of MS patients diagnosed are between the ages of 16 and 60; but MS can make its first appearance in early childhood or after age 60.


Is Multiple Sclerosis Contagious or Fatal?

MS is not contagious or fatal. The majority of MS persons are gainfully employed and have a life span expectancy of 50 years after onset, which is primarily due to more effective medications, and better health care knowledge including both western traditional and alternative treatments.


What Are the Most Common Symptoms of MS?

The most common characteristics of MS include fatigue, weakness, spasticity, balance problems, bladder and bowel problems, numbness, vision loss, tremor and vertigo. Not all symptoms affect all MS patients and symptoms and signs may be persistent or may cease from time to time.

Because the signs and symptoms that define the clinical picture of MS are the result of nerve lesions causing disturbances in electrical conduction in one or more areas of the central nervous system, the nature of the symptoms that occur is determined by the location of the lesion.

What Options Can Help Me?

Early treatment makes a difference. The necessity for early treatment in MS is becoming increasingly clearer. The time has passed for the “let’s wait and see how it goes” attitude before treatment is begun. The message is that early treatment seems to delay disability presumably by decreasing the injury to the nervous system by the multiple sclerosis. The drugs used for treating MS are currently: Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, or Novantrone. Another option is alternative healing modalities. Many people find a combination of the two choices can achieve the best results.


Does Diet Affect Multiple Sclerosis?

Although various dietary regimens have failed to suppress flare-ups or improve remyelination of damaged nerve pathways, a well-balanced diet with proper nutrients is vital in treatment plans intended to reduce the complications of multiple sclerosis. Attention to diet can reduce problems with skin care, bladder disease, and bowel control in individuals with severe MS.


Does Stress Affect Multiple Sclerosis?

By understanding some of the psychological changes that accompany chronic disease, one may take an active role to achieve a more healthy mental state. Psychotherapy or counseling, and body cooling are ways one can relieve stress. Some prefer alternative treatment options, including relaxation techniques (exercise, yoga, massage therapy, meditation, biofeedback, and music) to learn ways to manage unavoidable stress. With MS, the stress that must be managed is the “distress” that may hamper our ability to cope with the events and people in our lives.


What About Alternatives?

Attitudes are changing. The fact that over 125 medical schools, including Harvard, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Cornell Medical College, Duke University, and Stanford University, now offer alternatives to their patients shows that doctors are incorporating useful parts of alternative medicine. Numerous studies find a majority supports the use of one or more alternative treatment options.


If You Have More Questions:

Call The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation’s National Toll-free Helpline at 1-888-MSFOCUS (673-6287); or you can contact Them by email: support@msfocus.org.

Source: Multiple Sclerosis Foundation – www.msfocus.org