Babies and children * Young people * Women's health * Men's health
Basic background and information all about Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS), is a disease of the the brain and spinal cord, in which the nerve fibre coating, myelin, suffers degeneration and destruction.
The brain and spinal cord contains millions of nerve fibres, carrying messages and information to and from all parts of the body. Their normal function depends heavily upon a healthy covering of myelin. Damage to the myelin results in an assortment of symptoms such as visual disturbances, loss of speech, loss of balance, incoordination, muscles spasm and paralysis, incontinence and total loss of mobility.
MS may strike suddenly and is unpredictable. It can progress slowly or rapidly. Some sufferers have only a few attacks and remain totally symptom free. Others have only a slight disability, whilst some become severely handicapped. Twenty years after diagnosis, over one third have only a slight or no disability.
MS is not a mental disease, nor is it infectious. There are 100,000 MS sufferers in the UK. First symptoms appear between the ages of 20-40, with females being twice as likely to be affected as males. The commonest early symptoms are double or blurring of vision.
MS is rare in Black Americans, Hungarian Gypsies, Maoris, and the Japanese. However,it is more common in north east Scotland, with a particularly high incidence in the Orkney Islands. Europeans who live further from the equator seem to be at higher risk.
The cause of MS is not known, though possible factors put forward may include include diet, genetic predisposition, certain infections, exposure to animals, radiation, climatic and other environmental factors.
Relatives of affected people are eight times more likely than others to develop the condition. Flare ups are often caused by overexertion, infections, tiredness, injury, or stress.
At present, there is no curative treatment for MS. However, many patients claim to have been helped by diets free from animal fats and gluten/wheat products, and diets rich in sunflower oil. Others claim taking evening primrose oil has helped, whilst some claim `hyperbaric oxygen' has been beneficial.
Steroids in acute flare ups, have helped in many cases, and physiotherapy often strengthens affected muscle groups. Muscle rigidity can also be eased by certain antispasmodic drugs. The good news for MS suffers is a new treatment, `Interferon beta 1a'. Though not a cure, it is the only drug approved for delaying the progression of the disease in patients who are still able to walk, but have relapsing attacks of the disease. This is only available on prescription from neurologists for use under medical guidance and supervision. It is given as a weekly injection. Whether you are a suitable case for this latest treatment must be discussed with your own specialist.
Further information can be found at: The Multiple Sclerosis Society http://www.mssociety.org.uk
Image © Vladislav Gansovsky - Fotolia.com
Dr. Chris explains about Multiple Sclerosis
Basic background and information all about Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS), is a disease of the the brain and spinal cord, in which the nerve fibre coating, myelin, suffers degeneration and destruction.
The brain and spinal cord contains millions of nerve fibres, carrying messages and information to and from all parts of the body. Their normal function depends heavily upon a healthy covering of myelin. Damage to the myelin results in an assortment of symptoms such as visual disturbances, loss of speech, loss of balance, incoordination, muscles spasm and paralysis, incontinence and total loss of mobility.
MS may strike suddenly and is unpredictable. It can progress slowly or rapidly. Some sufferers have only a few attacks and remain totally symptom free. Others have only a slight disability, whilst some become severely handicapped. Twenty years after diagnosis, over one third have only a slight or no disability.
MS is not a mental disease, nor is it infectious. There are 100,000 MS sufferers in the UK. First symptoms appear between the ages of 20-40, with females being twice as likely to be affected as males. The commonest early symptoms are double or blurring of vision.
MS is rare in Black Americans, Hungarian Gypsies, Maoris, and the Japanese. However,it is more common in north east Scotland, with a particularly high incidence in the Orkney Islands. Europeans who live further from the equator seem to be at higher risk.
The cause of MS is not known, though possible factors put forward may include include diet, genetic predisposition, certain infections, exposure to animals, radiation, climatic and other environmental factors.
Relatives of affected people are eight times more likely than others to develop the condition. Flare ups are often caused by overexertion, infections, tiredness, injury, or stress.
At present, there is no curative treatment for MS. However, many patients claim to have been helped by diets free from animal fats and gluten/wheat products, and diets rich in sunflower oil. Others claim taking evening primrose oil has helped, whilst some claim `hyperbaric oxygen' has been beneficial.
Steroids in acute flare ups, have helped in many cases, and physiotherapy often strengthens affected muscle groups. Muscle rigidity can also be eased by certain antispasmodic drugs. The good news for MS suffers is a new treatment, `Interferon beta 1a'. Though not a cure, it is the only drug approved for delaying the progression of the disease in patients who are still able to walk, but have relapsing attacks of the disease. This is only available on prescription from neurologists for use under medical guidance and supervision. It is given as a weekly injection. Whether you are a suitable case for this latest treatment must be discussed with your own specialist.
Further information can be found at: The Multiple Sclerosis Society http://www.mssociety.org.uk
This article was published on Mon 31 July 2006
Image © Vladislav Gansovsky - Fotolia.com
Related Stories
Use this story
Link to this page
Printer friendly version
