Multiple sclerosis is a disease that disables the central nervous system of a human. According to several studies of 2021, each lakh population contains 5 to 10 persons with this disease. Consequently, almost 2 to 2.25 lakh patients with Multiple Sclerosis are under treatment in India.

Unfortunately, most of these patients are either misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. Therefore, it is essential to know about its symptoms, causes and treatments, as are mentioned in this article.

It is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake. It usually affects your brain, spinal cord, and optic system, leading to several symptoms.

Human nerve fibres, including the brain and spinal cord, are covered with protective sheath of myelin. Unfortunately, MS patients’ immune system attacks cells in the myelin and hinders the communication between your brain and other parts of your body.

Below are the types/stages of multiple sclerosis:

Stage 1: Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)

It is the initial stage when the symptoms last for at least 24 hours. However, there are very few chances of CIS patients developing MS.

Stage 2: Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)

RRMS is the most common stage that doctors diagnose. Patients experience exacerbation or relapse of worsening or new symptoms at this stage of Multiple Sclerosis. However, a diminution of these symptoms follows this flare-up.

Stage 3: Secondary progressive MS (SPMS)

In most cases, doctors diagnose RRMS in patients that gradually develop into SPMS. They experience progressively worsening symptomsdue to continuous nerve damage. On top of that, this stage has flare-ups or relapses but no remission period at all.

Stage 4: Primary progressive MS (PPMS)

PPMS patients experience a slow and gradual worsening of symptoms without any stage of exacerbation or remission.

Health experts are still unable to discover the causes of Multiple Sclerosis. However, continuous research has identified some triggering factors of MS -

Vulnerability to Specific Viruses

Some reports suggest that exposure to certain viruses or infections such as the Epstein-Barr virus can prompt MS.

The Environment of Your Habitat

Your surrounding or living environment is another crucial factor. For example, research has shown that regions farther from the equatorial area experience a higher Multiple Sclerosis rate.

Functions of Your Immune System

As MS is an autoimmune disease, it entirely depends on how your immune system functions.

Transmutation of Gene

MS may cause you if you have MS in your family history or gene.

Some significant symptoms of MS are as follows:

• Prolonged vision problem
• Optic neuritis or haze and pain in an eye
• Trembling or unstable gait
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Stammered speech
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Muscle contraction and weakness
• Numbness, tingling or pain in several body parts
• Problem with bladder and bowel system

Following are some significant risk factors of multiple sclerosis:

Climate: It is more common to inhabitants of temperate areas such as the northern United States, southeastern Australia, Canada, New Zealand and countries of Europe.

Race: The white or Northern European people are at the highest risk of this disease. It is because the lower exposure to sunlight that causes vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Deficiency: It is interrelated with habitation, climate and race. Regions away from the equator tend to get less sunlight which causes vitamin D deficiency. It may result in immune system dysfunction that triggers MS.

Sex: The possibility of MS developing in women is twice or trice than in men.

Age: People can develop this disease at any age, but they are usually more prone to it at 20 to 40 years of age.

Family History: People with a family background of MS tend to have a higher risk.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Vitamin B is essential to produce myelin. Therefore, people with a vitamin B12 deficiency have a high risk of neurological diseases.

Below are some complications of Multiple Sclerosis -

• Permanent vision loss
• Muscle spasms or stiffness
• Paralysis, mainly in the arms and legs
• Bowel, bladder or sexual dysfunction
• Amnesia, mood swings, depression and other mental issues

Conditions and symptoms of several neurological diseases can overlap. Therefore, a thorough and accurate diagnosis is essential to identify MS. However, a single test cannot define this disease properly.

Consequently, diagnosis of multiple sclerosis comprises several physical and imaging tests. Below are some:

• Your doctor may prescribe a blood test to diagnose this disease.
• They ask you to go through an MRI scan to find lesions in your brain and spinal cord as evidence of multiple sclerosis.
• A spinal tap or spinal cord fluid test is essential to identify antibodies as proof of any previous infection.
• Doctors may test your nerve function by measuring electrical activity on stimulants.

Below are some possible treatments for MS:

• Doctors conduct thorough medication on patients with MS to slow down the symptoms and disease progression. It includes oral, injectable and infused medication.
• Patients require therapies and medication to relieve flare-ups or relapses. Medical experts use corticosteroids like methylprednisolone and prednisone for a small span to reduce inflammation and damage to your myelin.
• Other treatment options include alternative and complementary therapies like psychiatric counselling and physical rehabilitation.

The prognosis of multiple sclerosis varies from type to type. However, some common prognoses are as follows -

• Few symptoms show up initially at the early stage of diagnosis.
• These symptoms exclusively relate to sensory issues like lack of vision, numbness or tingling.
• You experience these attacks of these symptoms after long gaps in between.
• After the attack, you recover completely or utmost.
• Medical experts will conduct regular neurological tests after 5 years of diagnosis.

The outlook for multiple sclerosis can state that it is chronic but not fatal. This disease is not entirely curable, but treatment can manage and slow down severe symptoms. Moreover, it affects your living quality but not your lifespan.

So, this article comprises all the essential details that can provide a clear idea of Multiple Sclerosis. You can consider the symptoms mentioned above to treat them for a life expectancy similar to others without this disease.