What Is Multiple Sclerosis? Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a medical condition that affects a person’s central nervous system. It is an autoimmune disorder, which means the body accidentally attacks itself, causing weakness, unclear vision, memory loss, and various other health issues.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Multiple Sclerosis. However, the right treatment and management can help a person manage the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the myelin, which is the protective cover around the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). When the myelin is destroyed in certain areas, it leads to the development of scar tissue known as Sclerosis. This restricts the brain from communicating with the rest of the body, causing attacks. There are different types of MS, including:

• Relapsing-Remitting MS: This is the most common type of MS in which patients experience relapses of old or new MS symptoms. This relapse period is followed by a period of disease remission that can last from a few months to a few years.
• Secondary-Progressive MS: In this type of MS, the nerve damage increases, worsening the symptoms. While a patient may still experience relapses, there are very few chances of remission.
• Primary-Progressive MS: In this type, the MS symptoms start slowly but worsen with time right from the beginning. There are no clear periods of relapse or remission.

What Causes Multiple Sclerosis?

The immune system helps protect the body against harmful bacteria and viruses. However, in some cases, it can become overactive and perceive healthy myelin as a threat. As a result, it attacks and damages it, exposing the nerve fiber. This restricts messages from moving along that nerve fiber, causing MS. While the exact Multiple Sclerosis cause is unknown, the following factors can increase the risk of developing it:

• Smoking
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Exposure to pesticides or secondhand smoke
• Obesity during childhood
• Genetic factors

What are the Risk Factors of Multiple Sclerosis?

The following factors can increase the risk of developing MS disease:

• Age: People between the ages of 20 and 40 years are at risk of MS.
• Sex: Women are more likely than men to develop relapsing-remitting MS.
• Family History: A family history of MS puts one at a greater risk of developing the disease.
• Autoimmune Diseases: Certain autoimmune conditions, like type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, thyroid disease, etc., also increase the risk of MS.

What are the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?

MS signs and symptoms can vary from person to person. Some common MS symptoms include:

• Numbness
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Trouble walking
• Blurry or double vision
• Loss of coordination and balance
• Muscle stiffness
• Mood changes
• Difficulty with thinking, concentrating, or understanding information
• Slurred speech
• Electric-shock sensations with certain neck movements
• Problems with bladder regulation
• Red-green color distortion

How is Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed?

An individual will have to undergo a physical and neurological exam for a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. During the exam, the healthcare professional will look for MS symptoms and evaluate the individual’s medical and family history. They may also prescribe certain tests, like:

• Blood tests
• MRI scan of the brain and spinal cord
• Spinal fluid analysis
• Urine test
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) test
• Evoked potential (EP) test

Management of Multiple Sclerosis

There is no cure for MS. As such, treatment options are primarily focused on managing symptoms, avoiding complications, and reducing the risk of further damage. Depending on the type and severity of the condition, a doctor may suggest the following management tips:

• Taking medication for pain or cognitive symptoms
• Going for regular mental health counselling
• Undertaking physical or speech therapy
• Wearing glasses for vision difficulties
• Using a wheelchair or a cane for better mobility

Since MS doesn’t have a cure, it’s important to understand its symptoms, risk factors, and management methods to improve the quality of life. If an individual is experiencing any symptoms of MS, they must immediately consult a healthcare professional and book the prescribed tests on the Dr. Lal PathLabs app.

FAQs

1. What is MS?
   MS is a chronic condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin. This restricts the brain from communicating with the rest of the body, causing problems with vision, memory, and other health issues.
2. What is the Multiple Sclerosis life expectancy?
   Individuals suffering from multisclerosis have a normal life expectancy.
3. How to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis?
   To diagnose Multiple Sclerosis, a doctor may recommend a physical and neurological exam, along with certain tests.