If you have multiple sclerosis... could you tell me a little more about it?!
Question: If you have multiple sclerosis!.!.!. could you tell me a little more about it!?
Answers:
I don't have MS myself but I know a couple of people who do and I can tell you that it is an Auto-Immune disease which means the body's own immune system starts to attack some of its own cells (Arthritis is a more well known AI disease where inter-joint tissues are attacked leading to swollen, painful and often immovable joints)!.
The cells attacked are usually the cells that make up the protective sheath (Myelin) around nerves in the motor nerve centre of the brain at the base of the skull or (in some cases) nerves in the top of the spinal chord itself (or both)!. These Myelin sheathes act much like electrical insulators do on mains flex and as the Myelin sheaths degrade or become damaged some of the electrical nerve impulses can "leak" out due to a lack of insulation!. Nerve impulses can also become slowed down or delayed!.
Once the Myelin sheath has been attacked and damaged, the body tries to repair it but it does this by generating scar-tissue!. This scar tissue is what shows up as lesions on MRI scans and the scar tissue being less insulating and thicker/harder than the original Myelin can (as it develops) apply pressure to the nerves impeding the nerve's ability to function properly even further!.
There are different types of MS !.!.!.
Benign Multiple Sclerosis
Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)
Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)
Malignant Multiple Sclerosis (Marburg Variant)
Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
It is a strange and very variable disease !.!.!. virtually no 2 patients are the same, some people have just one or 2 attacks and then never have another attack in their lives !.!.!. some people have an initial attack and their symptoms get progressively worse over time at a fairly constant rate !.!.!. some people have regular attacks but recover completely in between (RRMS)!.
This is a very good page with information on the basics -> http://www!.mssociety!.org!.uk/just%5Fdiagn!.!.!.
Hope this helps :)Www@Answer-Health@Com
The cells attacked are usually the cells that make up the protective sheath (Myelin) around nerves in the motor nerve centre of the brain at the base of the skull or (in some cases) nerves in the top of the spinal chord itself (or both)!. These Myelin sheathes act much like electrical insulators do on mains flex and as the Myelin sheaths degrade or become damaged some of the electrical nerve impulses can "leak" out due to a lack of insulation!. Nerve impulses can also become slowed down or delayed!.
Once the Myelin sheath has been attacked and damaged, the body tries to repair it but it does this by generating scar-tissue!. This scar tissue is what shows up as lesions on MRI scans and the scar tissue being less insulating and thicker/harder than the original Myelin can (as it develops) apply pressure to the nerves impeding the nerve's ability to function properly even further!.
There are different types of MS !.!.!.
Benign Multiple Sclerosis
Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)
Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)
Malignant Multiple Sclerosis (Marburg Variant)
Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
It is a strange and very variable disease !.!.!. virtually no 2 patients are the same, some people have just one or 2 attacks and then never have another attack in their lives !.!.!. some people have an initial attack and their symptoms get progressively worse over time at a fairly constant rate !.!.!. some people have regular attacks but recover completely in between (RRMS)!.
This is a very good page with information on the basics -> http://www!.mssociety!.org!.uk/just%5Fdiagn!.!.!.
Hope this helps :)Www@Answer-Health@Com
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which the nerves of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) degenerate!. Myelin, which provides a covering or insulation for nerves, improves the conduction of impulses along the nerves and also is important for maintaining the health of the nerves!. In multiple sclerosis, inflammation causes the myelin to eventually disappear!. Consequently, the electrical impulses that travel along the nerves decelerate, that is, become slower!. In addition, the nerves themselves are damaged!. As more and more nerves are affected, a patient experiences a progressive interference with functions that are controlled by the nervous system such as vision, speech, walking, writing, and memory!.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis may be single or multiple and may range from mild to severe in intensity and short to long in duration!. Complete or partial remission from symptoms occurs early in about 70% of multiple sclerosis patients!.
Common symptoms: Visual disturbances may be the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis, but they usually subside!. A patient may notice blurred vision, red-green distortion (color desaturation), or sudden monocular blindness (blindness in one eye)!. Muscle weakness with or without difficulties with coordination and balance may occur early!. Muscle spasms, fatigue, numbness, and prickling pain are common symptoms!. There may be a loss of sensation, speech impediment (typically a problem articulating words), tremors, or dizziness!.
An MRI scan can be used as an extremely accurate method to identify lesions in the brain!. MRI, evoked potential tests, and spinal tap help the doctor confirm the diagnosis of MS!. For a definite diagnosis of MS, at least two separate symptomatic events or changes on MRI and within the central nervous system must be demonstrated!.
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!.
There is currently no cure for MS!. 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
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis may be single or multiple and may range from mild to severe in intensity and short to long in duration!. Complete or partial remission from symptoms occurs early in about 70% of multiple sclerosis patients!.
Common symptoms: Visual disturbances may be the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis, but they usually subside!. A patient may notice blurred vision, red-green distortion (color desaturation), or sudden monocular blindness (blindness in one eye)!. Muscle weakness with or without difficulties with coordination and balance may occur early!. Muscle spasms, fatigue, numbness, and prickling pain are common symptoms!. There may be a loss of sensation, speech impediment (typically a problem articulating words), tremors, or dizziness!.
An MRI scan can be used as an extremely accurate method to identify lesions in the brain!. MRI, evoked potential tests, and spinal tap help the doctor confirm the diagnosis of MS!. For a definite diagnosis of MS, at least two separate symptomatic events or changes on MRI and within the central nervous system must be demonstrated!.
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!.
There is currently no cure for MS!. 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
It's a disease that effects the nervous system!.Www@Answer-Health@Com