Collin Grogan
ESS 363
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis- A progressive disease in which the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves degenerates and causes failures in the body’s neurological system. (Dunn J., Leitschuh C.)
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that progresses over time and affects the brain and spinal cord. This is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease affects body’s immune system and mistakenly attacks normal tissues instead of bacteria. The name comes from the buildup of scar tissue (sclerosis) in the brain and/or spinal cord. Basically the scar tissue builds up and destroys the protective layer of myelin known as the myelin sheath that covers nerves. This process is called demyelization. Without the layer of myelin to insulate the nerves, signals to and from the brain are not properly or fully transmitted. Nerves can regain the myelin but they cannot produce it fast enough to keep up with the deterioration caused from MS. There are about 400,000 affected by MS and is more commonly found in women. It is unusual to see MS before adolescents. The risk for MS is much higher from one’s teen years until about the age of 50.
Causes
There are no known causes of MS but some scientists believe that it could have to do with one’s immune system or something that an individual was exposed to early in life.
Symptoms
Some symptoms of MS include muscle weakness, decreased coordination, blurred or hazy vision, eye pain, double vision, muscle stiffness, and difficulty controlling urination.
Diagnosis
MS is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are sometimes very vague and can be hard to recognize. Symptoms must last for at least 24 hours and must be at least one month apart to begin to consider diagnosing an individual with MS.
Treatment
MS has treatments for the symptoms. Some treatments can slow down the progression of MS. Treatments can also relieve pain, urinary problems, and muscle stiffness. These treatments are carried out through a variety of medications.