What is multiple sclerosis Exactly?!


Question: What is multiple sclerosis Exactly!?
My dad Was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis From his Mri!.I was wondering if its a big deal or should i be worried my mom seems to be but not my dad!maybe hes just trying to cover his worries up!.And the sad thing is im not really upset we were really not that close but i always go over to my parents house,maybe its he messed up my life when he was on drugs when i was younger idk!.Can he die from this!?!?Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
Multiple sclerosis (abbreviated MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata) is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system (CNS), leading to demyelination!. It may cause numerous physical and mental symptoms, and often progresses to physical and cognitive disability!. Disease onset usually occurs in young adults, is more common in women, and has a prevalence that ranges between 2 and 150 per 100,000 depending on the country or specific population!. MS was first described in 1835 by Jean-Martin Charcot!.

MS affects the areas of the brain and spinal cord known as the white matter!. White matter cells carry signals between the grey matter areas, where the processing is done, and the rest of the body!. More specifically, MS destroys oligodendrocytes which are the cells responsible for creating and maintaining a fatty layer, known as the myelin sheath, which helps the neurons carry electrical signals!. MS results in a thinning or complete loss of myelin and, less frequently, the cutting (transection) of the neuron's extensions or axons!. When the myelin is lost, the neurons can no longer effectively conduct their electrical signals!. The name multiple sclerosis refers to the scars (scleroses - better known as plaques or lesions) in the white matter!. Loss of myelin in these lesions causes some of the symptoms, which vary widely depending upon which signals are interrupted!. However, more advanced forms of imaging are now showing that much of the damage happens outside these regions!. Almost any neurological symptom can accompany the disease!.

MS takes several forms, with new symptoms occurring either in discrete attacks (relapsing forms) or slowly accumulating over time (progressive forms)!. Most people are first diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS but develop secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) after a number of years!. Between attacks, symptoms may go away completely, but permanent neurological problems often persist, especially as the disease advances!.

Although much is known about the mechanisms involved in the disease process, the cause remains elusive: the most widely-held being that the condition results from attacks to the nervous system by the body's own immune system!. Some believe it is a metabolically dependent disease while others think that it might be caused by a virus such as Epstein-Barr!. Still others believe that its virtual absence from the tropics points to a deficiency of vitamin D during childhood!.

This disease does not have a cure, but several therapies have proven helpful!. Treatments attempt to return function after an attack, prevent new attacks, and prevent disability!. MS medications can have adverse effects or be poorly tolerated, and many patients pursue alternative treatments, despite the paucity of supporting scientific study!. Many candidate therapies are still under investigation!.

The prognosis, or expected course of the disease, depends on the subtype of the disease, the individual patient's disease characteristics, the initial symptoms, and the degree of disability the person experiences as time advances!. Life expectancy of patients, however, is nearly the same as that of the unaffected population, and in some cases a near-normal life is possible!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

MS is progressive and can be debilitating!. If he starts treatment and is very careful with his diet, he can have a fairly normal life!. There will be setbacks!. Some symptoms are; headaches, dizziness, problems walking, problems with memory, to name a few!. This isn't the clinical terminology, but easier to understand!. The MRI probably showed white clusters on his brain!. Eventually these will spread as more of the brain is affected!. Actually this is very ugly disease in it's last stages but fortunately with early treatment it won't be really bad for many years!. It is found more in women but in recent years it is being diagnosed in more men!. Well known folks with MS!. Terri Garr-actress, Clay Walker- Singer, Hal Ketchum-Singer!. (Just the ones I know about)

I have Meniere's Disease which has a lot of the same symptoms as MS, in fact there is no test for Meniere's, and since the symptoms are so much alike, MS had to be ruled out and all that's left is Meniere's!. Weird way of diagnosing but to date that's all they have come up with!. My friend from High school had MS and died recently!. She was 50!. 2 members of her family also have it!.

It's time to be gentle with your dad!. Your mom is going to need your help and support!. I hope this helpsWww@Answer-Health@Com

MS is not a fatal disease!. It can range from being very benign, to relapsing/remitting (in other words it comes and goes) or it can be progressive (gets worse and worse)!. I have had it for twenty years now!. I still work, go to the gym, and have an active social life!. I also own my own my own home and do the majority of the maintenance!. MS varies greatly from person to person!. It does not always progress and it does NOT disable everyone who has it!. Many people who have MS lead normal lives and have near normal life spans!. It does NOT always turn into the progressive form of the disease!. There are many drug therapies now that can halt the worsening of the disease!. And there are many more promising drug therapies on the horizon!. May I suggest that you go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website!? (nmss!.org) It will give you a very balanced and informative view!. I am sorry that your Dad has this disease!. Take good care, dear!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

We are constantly learning more about MS!. MS is an autoimmune disease!. The genetics part is that a parent may pass on the predisposition for an autoimmune disease to their child!. Doesn't mean it will be passed on!. Doesn't mean that if it is passed on that anything (like a virus) will ever trigger the autoimmune response!.

That being said, if you have a family member with MS you have a higher chance of developing it than someone without MS in the family!. But again, doesn't mean you will!. One relative having it, you have about 1-3% chance!. I have two relatives (mom and maternal aunt) so I had about 10% chance!.

There is currently no cure for MS!. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable!. You never know when an attack will occur, how long it will last, or how severe it will be!. Treatment goals for MS are to reduce the number of attacks, improve recovery from attacks, slow MS's progression, and relieve complications due to the loss of function (i!.e!. numbness, weakness, loss of muscle coordination, problems with vision, speech, bladder control, etc!.)!.

Here's a easy to understand article http://www!.medicinenet!.com/multiple_scle!.!.!.
I also like the "MS for Dummies" book!. For me MS was the devil I knew since my mom and aunt have it!. But the book was a good reference for my husband!. Plus there were tips I hadn't heard of or thought about!.Www@Answer-Health@Com





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