Multiple Sclerosis

A health condition that leads to disabling of the spinal cord (central nervous system) and brain is known as multiple sclerosis (MS). When the condition occurs, the body’s defense (immune system) attacks the nerve’s protective layer (myelin) which leads to communication problems between the brain and the body. As a result, permanent nerve damage or nerve fiber deterioration happens.

The symptoms that people with MS experience are different because it depends on the severity and location of the disease. In severe MS cases, people may experience walking problems. Moreover, some people may experience long-term remission without any symptoms.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis but proper treatments can help to lessen the symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Symptoms

The symptoms are different among people because it depends on the part the condition affects. Check below some common MS symptoms:

Lack of coordination
Tingling
Numbness or weakness in the limbs
Electric-shock sensations
Lose the ability to walk
Partial or complete vision loss
Double vision
Vertigo
Sexual, bowel, and bladder function problems
Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
Slurred speech
Cognitive issues
Mood swings

If you experience any of the previous symptoms without any reason, immediately contact your healthcare professional.

Causes

The exact cause why MS happens it is not known but experts think it is an autoimmune condition. It means the body’s defense attacks its own tissues. In such cases, the immune system destroys fatty substances that protect the nerve fibers known as myelin. Furthermore, they consider a combination of factors that provoke MS. For example environmental factors, genetics, and others.

Risk Factors

While the exact MS cause is unknown, the following factors can elevate your risk of getting this condition. Examples include:

Sex – Females are more prone (2-3 times) to get this condition compared to men.
Age – Although this disease can occur at any age, people between 20-40 years old are at increased risk.
Family history – If at least one of your parents or siblings has this condition, you are at higher risk of developing it.
Race – Northern European white people are more likely to get MS than Asian, African, or Native American descent.
Climate – This condition happens more commonly in temperate climates including the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and Canada. Some studies showed that exposure to the sun during pregnancy can help to reduce the risk of later MS development.
Vitamin D – Reduced vitamin D levels and low exposure to the sun are usually associated with a high risk of MS.
Genes – A gene (6p21) is found to be linked with MS development.
Obesity – A connection between multiple sclerosis and obesity is found in females, especially during childhood and adolescence.
Autoimmune conditions – The following conditions tend to elevate the risk of MS. These include type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, pernicious anemia, and thyroid disease.
Smoking – It is more likely that MS symptoms will occur in smokers than nonsmokers.

What Are The Possible MS Complications?

Those who suffer from multiple sclerosis can also notice some complications. Check below some of them:

Muscle spasms or stiffness
Severe paralysis or weakness in the legs
Sexual, bowel, or bladder function issues
Cognitive issues (including difficulty finding words, forgetfulness, and others)
Mental disorders (including mood swings, depression, anxiety, and others)
Seizures (in rare cases)

Diagnosis

Physicians commonly diagnose this condition by performing differential diagnoses. It involves tests that help to exclude health conditions with similar symptoms. Healthcare professionals usually start with questions about symptoms and medical history. They also can order you to do some tests. For example:

Blood tests – These tests are done to exclude other conditions with symptoms similar to those of MS.
Lumbar puncture – This test is also known as spinal tap and it involves a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid for laboratory testing. It helps to check for infections and other health conditions with similar symptoms.
MRI – This test is used to determine whether you have lesions or not on the brain, cervical, and thoracic spinal cord. Some people get an intravenous injection of a special material that helps to get more clear images.
Evoked potential tests – These tests are used to record electrical signals from the central nervous system according to visual or electrical stimuli.

Treatment

Nowadays, multiple sclerosis cannot be cured and with treatment, you can reduce the symptoms and improve your quality of life. However, some people with mild symptoms do not require treatment. Check below some treatment options:

Treatments Used for Multiple Sclerosis Attacks

Plasma Exchange (plasmapheresis) – This option can help with new or severe symptoms or if you do not notice any improvements after using steroids. It involves the removal of the liquid part of the blood and separating it from blood cells. Thereafter, it is combined with a special protein solution (albumin) and injected back into the body.
Corticosteroids – These include oral Prednisone and intravenous Methylprednisolone. These medications help to reduce nerve inflammation but can give you some adverse reactions. For example sleep disturbances (insomnia), high blood pressure (hypertension), high glucose levels in the blood, mood swings, and fluid retention.

Treatments Used to Slow Down Progression

There are some disease-modifying therapies (also known as DMTs) used for relapsing-remitting MS. However, some of them are effective for secondary progressive MS, and only one is used for primary progressive MS.

Early diagnosis and treatment can help to slow the new lesions formation, reduce the relapse rate, and lessen the risk of brain atrophy and disability. While these therapies help to treat MS they can provoke serious health problems. Commonly, physicians prescribe these therapies according to disease severity, the effectiveness of previous MS treatments, existing health conditions, and other factors.

Therapies used for relapsing-remitting MS come in different forms including injections, oral medicines, and infusions. Check below some injectable treatment options:

Interferon beta medicines – These medicines are the most commonly prescribed medications and work by reducing inflammation and increasing nerve growth.
Glatiramer acetate – The following medicines help to block the body’s defense attacks on myelin. These include Copaxone, Glatopa, and others.
Monoclonal antibodies – This injection (usually Ofatumumab) works by targeting cells that provoke damage to the nervous system known as B cells. It also helps to reduce the risk of complications.

Oral Treatments

Teriflunomide – This medicine is prescribed by doctors to decrease relapse rate but can cause some unpleasant adverse reactions including hair loss, liver damage, and others.
Dimethyl fumarate – This drug is usually taken twice daily and it helps to decrease relapses. Common side effects include flushing, diarrhea, nausea, and reduced white blood cell count.
Diroximel fumarate – It is also taken twice daily and works similarly to Dimethyl fumarate but causes fewer adverse reactions.
Monomethyl fumarate – This medication is commonly prescribed due to its slow and steady action. Potential adverse reactions include liver injury, abdominal pain, infections, and flushing.
Fingolimod – Discuss with your doctor before using this medicine because it may reduce your heart rate. Negative effects include headaches, infections, hypertension, blurred vision, and others.
Siponimod – As per studies, this drug can reduce relapse rates and slow down MS progression. Potential adverse reactions include headaches, reduced white blood cell count, vision changes, and others.
Ozanimod – This medication works similarly to Siponimod and can give you the following side effects. For example liver inflammation, infections, high blood pressure, and others.
Ponesimod – This medicine is used once daily with a gradual increase in the dose. Some research showed that it helps to treat MS with fewer brain lesions compared to other drugs. Adverse reactions include respiratory tract infections, liver irritation, hypertension, and others.
Cladribine – Generally, this medication is often prescribed by doctors along with other MS drugs. It also is effective for those with secondary-progressive MS and relapsing-remitting MS. Headaches, tumors, upper respiratory infections, and decreased white blood cell count are the most common side effects.

Infusion Medications

Natalizumab – This medicine is a monoclonal antibody used to reduce relapse rates and lower the risk of disability. It also decreases the risk of brain and spinal cord damage. Physicians usually prescribe it to people with severe MS form.
Ocrelizumab – It helps to slow down the progression of MS and reduces the risk of relapse rate and disabling progression in people with relapsing-remitting MS.
Alemtuzumab – It is advised to use this medicine under medical supervision only. Mostly, it is used in severe MS cases and when other treatment options do not work.

Home Remedies

The following remedies can help you to lessen MS symptoms if are used along with treatments. Examples include:

Get plenty of rest
Regular exercise
Adopt a well-balanced diet
Manage stress

Frequently Asked Questions

It is possible to cure multiple sclerosis?

Unfortunately, there is no way to cure this condition but with proper treatment, you can reduce the symptoms and improve your quality of life.

What are the main MS symptoms?

Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
Numbness and tingling
Vision problems
Pain
Mobility problems
Muscle stiffness and weakness
Mental disorders (including anxiety and depression)
Trouble thinking, planning, and learning

Multiple sclerosis symptoms are similar to many health conditions. If you suspect you have MS, visit a doctor immediately.

What are the primary treatment options for MS?

Healthcare professionals usually prescribe Ocrevus (an infusion used every 6 months) and Natalizumab (also an infusion that is taken monthly). However, you may get a prescription for medicines that should be used daily. In case you have additional questions, ask your physician.