Multiple Sclerosis

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a disease affecting your brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. The condition interferes with your brain’s ability to send and receive messages, leading to a loss of muscle control and even paralysis in severe cases.

Multiple sclerosis isn’t contagious. The disease is believed to result from an immune system dysfunction that breaks down the protective covering, called myelin, that insulates the nerve fibers in your central nervous system. When your myelin is damaged, your nerves don’t transmit nerve impulses as quickly or efficiently.

Multiple sclerosis is most commonly diagnosed in people ages 20-40. Less frequently, you’re diagnosed in your teenage years or late 40s or 50s.

As the disease progresses, multiple sclerosis may make you more susceptible to complications and infections. However, people with multiple sclerosis live long lives, with a projected life span that’s 93% of that of individuals without the disease. 

Who gets multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis affects twice as many women as men. The disease seems to affect Northern Europeans and people who live in temperate climates more than others. Researchers believe individuals may have a genetic predisposition to the disease, although it’s not necessarily passed down in families. 

What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary widely. You might experience:

• Extreme fatigue
  
• Vision problems
  
• Loss of balance and muscle coordination
  
• Slurred speech
  
• Tremors
  
• Stiffness
  
• Sexual dysfunction
  
• Bladder and bowel problems
  
• Difficulty walking

In severe cases, you may experience paralysis. 

How is multiple sclerosis treated?

Although there’s no cure for the disease at this time, medical therapies focus on:

• Minimizing your symptoms
  
• Slowing the advance of the disease
  
• Helping you recover from attacks more quickly

Your provider at Advanced Center for Neurology and Headache recommends an appropriate treatment plan to help improve your condition. Your plan may include medications, such as corticosteroids, to shorten an attack of the disease. 

Other options include:

• Beta interferons: may reduce the frequency and severity of relapses
  
• Copolymer 1: may stop your immune system from attacking myelin

Both of these options are injectable drugs you can administer at home. In addition, your provider also discusses alternative medications when other drugs don’t help your condition.

For specialized treatment for multiple sclerosis, call Advanced Center for Neurology and Headache today or schedule a consultation online.