Multiple Sclerosis & your Immune System: To Bail or Suicide?

Multiple sclerosis also known as Disseminated sclerosis or Encephalomyelitis disseminate is a highly unpredictable, inflammatory and chronic disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The Multiple sclerosis derives its name from the multiple scars (sclerosis) left on the myelin sheaths. Myelin sheath is a fatty layer of protective tissue surrounding the neurons. Neurons are the cells of brain and spinal cord that with its electric signals facilitate in transmitting information, thought process, perception and control the human body. Hence Multiple sclerosis is also referred as Demyelination. Under such a situation the damaged signals badly affect the strength, sensation, vision, speech clarity and coordination of muscles.

Multiple sclerosis is neither contagious nor inherited. It is considered as an autoimmune disease because the immune system attacks the neurons mistaking it to be foreign cells. The severity of this disease depends on the extent to which the CNS is affected. It varies from mild illness to permanent disability. Multiple sclerosis is said to be in 'Relapsing - Remitting' course when the symptoms are observed all of a sudden and then they vanish without a trace. While in some cases of Multiple sclerosis called 'Primary-Progressive', the symptoms gradually build up.

As the Multiple sclerosis is a highly unpredictable disease the symptoms varies widely. The symptoms are developed based on the affected area in neurons. Some of the common symptoms are blurred vision, slurred speech, stiffness of muscles, difficulty in movement, paralysis, difficulty in recollecting things and reasoning, fatigue, dizziness, body pain, sexual dysfunction and difficulty in bladder and bowl movements. It is also observed that the patients experience electric shock sensations in certain movements and numbness of limbs.

Diagnosis of Multiple sclerosis is difficult as there are no exclusive symptoms for this disease. Systematic evaluation of the clinical symptoms followed by radiological and laboratory studies aid the diagnosis process. Neurological examination is conducted by asking various questions, observing the speech pattern, body movement, gait, muscle tone, sensation of pain and analytical capabilities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is employed to assess the nerve fiber injury and the extent to which myelin sheath is damaged .Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) testing is done to confirm that the symptoms are caused by Multiple sclerosis and not any other viral infection.

There is no complete cure for Multiple sclerosis and combination of medication and physiotherapy techniques are followed to have a check on the disease. The treatment is aimed to avoid any disability and prevent future attacks .In case of symptomatic multiple sclerosis the patient is hospitalized and administered a high doses of corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone. This is done to arrest the attack and protect the patient from any long lasting affects. Relapsing-remitting Multiple sclerosis can be treated by interferon such as Interferon beta-1a (Avonex and Rebif) or beta-1b (Betaseron / Betaferon). Medications for progressive Multiple sclerosis is aimed to relax the muscles and remove fatigue. Mitoxantrone is found to be effective in case of the final multiple sclerosis. Therapies such as Physical and occupational therapy, Counseling and Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) along with the medication are appreciable.