”There is a history in all men’s lives, Figuring the nature of the times deceased; The which observed, a man may prophesy, With a near aim, of the main chance of things As yet not come to life, which in their seeds And weak beginnings lie entreasured.”
-William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Henry IV, part II
Introduction
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS).Surrounding the nerve fibers of the CNS is a fatty tissue called myelin which protects nerve fibers and helps nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses. In MS, myelin is lost in multiple areas, leaving scar tissue called sclerosis.When myelin or the nerve fiber is damaged, the ability of the nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain is destroyed. This disrupts the communication between the brain and other parts of the body. People with MS can expect one of four clinical courses of the disease, each of which might be mild, moderate or severe.
Relapsing-Remitting: In the relapsing-remitting stage, there are clearly defined flare-ups (also called relapses, attacks or exacerbations). These are episodes of acute worsening of neurologic function. They are followed by partial or complete recovery periods (remissions) free of disease progression. It is the most common form of MS at time of initial diagnosis.
Primary-Progressive: In the primary-progressive stage, there is slow but nearly continuous worsening of the disease from the onset, with no distinct relapses or remissions. However, there are variations in rates of progression over time S9uch as occasional plateaus and temporary minor improvements).
Secondary-Progressive: In this course of the disease, there is an initial period of relapsing-remitting disease. This is followed by a steadily worsening disease course with or without occasional flare-ups, minor recoveries (remissions) or plateaus.
Progressive-Relapsing: In the progressive-relapsing course of the disease, there is a steadily worsening disease from the onset but also have clear acute relapses (attacks or exacerbations) with or without recovery. In contrast to relapsing-remitting MS, the periods between relapses are characterized by continuing disease progression.
CAUSES OF MS Although a specific cause of MS has not yet been determined, most researchers believe that MS is an “autoimmune” disease, in which the damage to myelin results from an abnormal response by the body’s immune system, as the body attacks the cells that make myelin.Recent data suggest that common viruses may play a role in the cause of MS. If so, MS may be caused by a persistent viral infection, or alternatively, by an immune process initiated by a transient viral infection in the central nervous system or elsewhere in the body. Environmental studies indicating where MS exists and where it is absent, suggest that there is a triggering factor that causes it. It appears that a factor (most likely infectious) must be encountered before the age of 16 in order for the disease to be triggered later in life.Higher incidence of MS found in the Northern temperate zones of North America and Europe indicates some triggering factor in the environment, such as toxins (heavy metals), vitamin-deficiencies. These environmental factors cause MS to manifest in those whose immune systems are genetically predisposed to MS. MS is not transmitted genetically but research indicates an increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases appears to be at least partly genetic. In other words, MS itself is not a hereditary disease, but the hereditary factor may make an individual susceptible to its development.Approximately 400,000 Americans acknowledge having MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. Worldwide, MS affects about 2.5 million individuals. Anyone may develop MS.Ninety percent people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. Between two and three times as many women have MS than men.
In MS, myelin is lost in multiple areas, leaving scar tissue called sclerosis.
