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Home > Blog > What is Multiple Sclerosis: Causes, Symptoms, Stages and Treatment

What is Multiple Sclerosis: Causes, Symptoms, Stages and Treatment

What is Multiple Sclerosis: Causes, Symptoms, Stages and Treatment

Max Lab

Jul 16, 2024

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the patient’s central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. To fully understand what muscular sclerosis is, one needs to understand the role of myelin and how its damage disrupts this vital communication network.

Essentially, in MS, the immune system of a person starts attacking the protective sheath (myelin) that covers the brain and spinal cord nerve, leading to communication problems between the person’s brain and the rest of the body.

The signs and symptoms of MS can vary from patient to patient and depend on the location and severity of nerve damage in the central nervous system. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis, however, there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and minimize the ongoing damage.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Since MS essentially affects the nervous system, which controls all the actions in the body, its symptoms can occur in any part of the body. The first sign and symptom of MS is vision changes, which may include:

  • Complete or partial loss of vision (which usually happens in one eye at a time)
  • Blurry vision
  • Double vision
  • Pain while moving eyes

Some other common multiple sclerosis symptoms include:

  • Numbness and tingling
  • Fatigue
  • Bladder and bowel problems
  • Changes in memory, thinking, and concentration
  • Loss of balance
  • Dizziness
  • Stiffness
  • Spasms
  • Tremors
  • Pain
  • Sexual problems

Although females and males experience the same multiple sclerosis symptoms, certain factors such as fluctuation during mensuration, pregnancy, and menopause, may affect the multiple sclerosis symptoms in females.

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis

The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, however, there are serval factors that make a person more likely to develop it. These factors include:

  • Vitamin D deficiency
  • Smoking
  • Obesity during childhood
  • Toxin exposure, like secondhand smoke and pesticides.
  • Low levels of vitamin B12
  • Having a close relative with MS or any other autoimmune disease
  • Exposure to a virus (Epstein-Barr virus or mononucleosis).

Stages of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is usually classified into four types, depending on how the condition progresses. However, research suggests it may also be classified into different stages.

The four types of multiple sclerosis include:

  1. Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS): When someone experiences the first episode of symptoms that suggest MS but doesn’t meet the criteria of MS, doctors often characterize it as CIS. The episode lasts for days or weeks.
  2. Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS): In RRMS, the new symptoms of multiple sclerosis appear, or the existing symptoms worsen over a period of time. This is known as relapse. The relapse is followed by a period of partial or complete recovery, known as remission. RRMS is the most common type of multiple sclerosis, with 85% of people with MS having RRMS.
  3. Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS): This stage appears after RRMS, where after years of having RRMS, the symptoms become worse and that too without any period of remission.
  4. Primary Progressive MS (PPMS): PPMS involves a steady, gradual worsening of symptoms from the start with no relapses or remissions. Around 15% of people with MS have PPMS.

Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis can be difficult since its symptoms are similar to any nerve disorder. The doctor may ask about the patient’s symptoms and perform a physical and neurological exam to look for signs of nerve damage, such as vision problems, muscle weakness, and balance issues.

The doctors may perform a list of diagnostic tests to rule out conditions with similar symptoms as multiple sclerosis. These tests may include:

  • Blood test and urine test
  • A magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI)
  • Tests to check balance, coordination, and vision of a person
  • Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
  • A lumbar puncture

Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Since there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, its treatment generally focuses on minimizing further damage, managing the symptoms, and preventing any complications. A patient’s multiple sclerosis treatment may include:

  • Medications
  • Physiotherapy for muscle problems
  • Speech therapy
  • Mental health counseling for depression and anxiety
  • Cognitive rehabilitation to improve memory and thinking

To ease the symptoms of relapse and reduce inflammation, the doctors may also suggest some Steroids. Along with taking medication and doing therapies, making lifestyle changes, such as getting adequate rest, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and managing stress can help people with MS.

Multiple sclerosis presents a complex challenge, but ongoing research on it offers some hope. While there is no cure, by understanding what muscular sclerosis is and its various treatment options, one can learn to manage its symptoms, improve their quality of life, and slow the disease's progression. Early diagnosis and a proactive approach are crucial.

Remember, you are not alone. With a strong support system and access to proper care, you can learn to effectively manage MS and live a fulfilling life.

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