What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Author’s Note: I am not a medical professional of any kind. Please consult with your trusted medical professional for a proper diagnosis. Please do not self-diagnosis. 

The Diagnoses of MS is not an easy one to hear, and you can easily feel overwhelmed. As well have many questions. But if your doctors feel that you are at risk for MS by the results of your exam, and a number of tests there are medications that can help with delaying the disease.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) MS is a disease that attacks the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord, and Central Nervous System.There is no known cause. Relapsing or remitting MS. Is the most common form. The immune-mediated-the body attacks the central nervous system. There is still a debate going on amongst the medical field, on whether or not MS is an autoimmune disease. The prefix for auto means self. This means that the body’s immune system is reacting against normal acting proteins that stat stimulate or make a response in the body that come across as if they are foreign to the body. Within the CNS (Central Nervous System, attacks what is known as “Myelin.” A fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the nerve fibers/as well as the nerve fibers themselves. The damaged caused by Myelin, scar tissue called, Sclerosis. In which the condition is named after. The ow is a list of illnesses or conditions thought to have an autoimmune basis: Psoriasis Crohn’s Disease Rheumatoid Arthritis Systemic Lupus erythematous, and insulin-dependent (type 1) mellitus MS, immune system attacks and damages certain. Structures and cells that are in the Central Nervous System. That includes the following: Myelin: The fatty area that surrounds and protects nerves/fibers * oligodendrocytes (myelin-producing cells), and * underlying nerve fibers. T-Cells: T-Cells a type of white blood cell in the immune system.A type of white blood cell in the immune system. B cells develop in bone marrow, produce antibodies Tell cells because they develop in a small gland called, Thymus gland. Responsible for several other immune issues. The following are 3 examples: Directly attacking bacteria, viruses, and foreign tissues: That fights with the B cell That produces what is called, cytokines that send responses and activities in other immune cells. 

High risk for developing MS: The presence of CIS with scans from MRI, brain lesions similar to those seen in MS. If Yes, the person has a 60-80% chance of a second neurological event and a diagnosis of MS within several years.

Low risk of developing MS When CIS is not found on the MRI Scans. Along with non-similar MS Related brain lesions. The person has a 20% chance of developing MS over the same Period of time.

CIS Progression to MS:  people with CIS may or may not go on to develop MS. When it comes to the diagnosis Of CIS, Health Care Providers face 2 challenges.

Challenge one: whether or not the person is experiencing a neurological episode due to damage to the Central Nervous System (CNS.)

Challenge two: To determine the person having this experience could possibly develop MS or not.

There are also different types of episodes that occur during an attack. The first episode is known as Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS.) CIS is of the MS disease courses-The first episode of neurological symptoms that last at least for 24 hrs. And can be caused by inflammation or demyelination (loss of the myelin.

Monofocal episode: The person experiences a single neurologic sign or symptom — for example, an attack of optic neuritis — that’s caused by a single lesion.

Multifocal episode: The person experiences more than one sign or symptom — for example, an attack of optic neuritis accompanied by numbness or tingling in the legs caused by lesions in more than one place. The episode usually has no associated fever or infection and is followed by a complete or partial recovery.

While there also different types of episodes that occur during an MS attack, There are, of course, different types of this condition. 

1. Clinically Isolated Syndrome: CIS is the first episode of neurologic symptoms caused by inflammation and demyelination in the central nervous system. The episode, which by definition must last for at least 24 hours, is characteristic of multiple sclerosis but does not yet meet the criteria for a diagnosis of MS because people who experience a CIS may or may not go on to develop MS.
2. Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)RRMS – the most common disease course – is characterized by clearly defined attacks of new or increasing neurologic symptoms. These attacks – also called relapses or exacerbations – are followed by periods of partial or complete recovery (remissions). During remissions, all symptoms may disappear, or some symptoms may continue and become permanent. However, there is no apparent progression of the disease during the periods of remission. At different points in time, RRMS can be further characterized as either active (with relapses and/or evidence of new MRI activity) or not active, as well as worsening (a confirmed increase in disability over a specified period of time following a relapse) or not worsening.

Approximately 85 percent of people with MS are initially diagnosed with RRMS

3. Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) SPMS follows an initial relapsing-remitting course. Most people who are diagnosed with RRMS will eventually transition to a secondary progressive course in which there is a progressive worsening of neurologic function (accumulation of disability) over time. SPMS can be further characterized at different points in time as either active (with relapses and/or evidence of new MRI activity) or not active, as well as with progression (evidence of disease worsening on an objective measure of change over time, with or without relapses) or without progression
4. Primary progressive MS (PPMS) PPMS is characterized by worsening neurologic function (accumulation of disability) from the onset of symptoms, without early relapses or remissions. PPMS can be further characterized at different points in time as either active (with an occasional relapse and/or evidence of new MRI activity) or not active, as well as with progression (evidence of disease worsening on an objective measure of change over time, with or without relapse or new MRI activity) or without progression.  Approximately 15 percent of people with MS are diagnosed with PPMS.

MS is not an inherited disease. However, There is a genetic risk that there is, in fact, could be linked. The general population-developing MS is 1-750-1000. For example, If you're an identical twin, has MS, then the other twin has a 1-4  chance of getting MS. Risk also increases if a parent or sibling has MS.

There is also another term called, MS Clusters-high numbers of cases of MS occur during a specific time and location.  Possibly provide clues to genetic or environmental risk for MS. No evidence to support this yet.

Scientists believe there are a number of factors involving the condition of MS tests in the following areas are being done. Epidemiologists: Scientists who study disease patterns. Looking for variations in geography, demographics, age, gender, ethnic backgrounds, genetics, infectious causes, and migration patterns. All in order to understand why.

The Areas Of Immunology-The science of the body's immune system. 

Epidemiology-The study of disease in the population.Genetics-studying infectious agents, to understand the cause of MS, Ultimately could help find a way to treat, cure or even prevent the condition from even happening.

Environmental Factors for MS is known to occur in more often in areas that are further from the equator.

Obesity in childhood is also shown to play a factor. (Especially, in young girls.) Obesity may increase inflammation and more MS activity in those already diagnosed with MS.

There is evidence that shows that people born into a with a high risk of MS, and then move (migrate) to an area of lower risk before the age of 15, are at risk for MS in their new area. Evidence shows that exposure to something in their environment before puberty that makes them predisposed to MS later on.

There is also evidence that vitamin D plays an important factor. People that leave closer to the equator are exposed to great amounts of sunlight year-around. Resulting in higher amounts of naturally produced vitamin D. which support The immune system and help in protecting the system against immune-mediated diseases like MS. The link between sunlight and MS are currently being looked at by Society-funded epidemiological study in Australia.

There is also evidence that smoking plays another important role in MS.There are studies that show that smoking increases the risk for someone to develop MS. Associated with a more severe onset and rapidly. But stopping can slow the progression of MS.

You can find information on how to treat and manage MS here: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS

The following resource was used to complete this blog post. 

https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS

Please visit https:www.nationalmssociety.org for a further information on this condition. Please consult with a trusted medical professional if you believe you, or someone you know may have this condition. Please do not self-diagnosis yourself. 

photo found on google images, screenshot by me.