Multiple Sclerosis Information and Links

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MS Facts

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is believed to be an autoimmune disease (a disease in which the body attacks its own tissue) affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS). The CNS includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. In MS, inflammation and scarring of myelin occurs (sclerosis). Myelin is the “coating” that covers and protects the nerve fibers in our CNS. When inflammation or scaring occurs, the nervous system, which is the “control center” for your body, is unable to send messages through your nervous system. It is similar to an electrical wire missing part of its plastic coating and short-circuiting as a result.

Over 400,000 Americans acknowledge having Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but many neurologists believe that as many as one million Americans could be living with MS.
MS is one of the most common neurological diseases affecting young adults.
Two to three times as many women have MS than men.
An additional three million care givers, family and friends face the unpredictable, daily challenges of living with M.S.
Every week, about 200 people are diagnosed with M.S., more than one person per hour.
M.S. is a “prime of life” disease, often diagnosed in adults between the ages of 20 to 40.
Certain geographic areas (MS clusters) have higher rates of MS than others.
M.S. is a chronic disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. Researchers do not know what causes MS, but believe genetics, geographical factors, and various environmental triggers may play a role in developing MS.
There is currently no known cause or cure.

MS Symptoms

What You May Not Know About Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

A person with MS may have a wide variety of symptoms, depending on how badly their myelin has been affected.

Symptoms of MS may include:

Extreme weakness or fatigue Loss of coordination
Staggering or loss of balance
Dragging one or both feet
Tremors in hands, arms, legs and/or head
Twitching in various parts of the body or head Prickling sensations in body parts
Numbness in hands, feet and possibly other body parts
Headaches (can escalate into trigeminal neuralgia)
Loss of eyesight, double or blurred vision
Involuntary movement of eyes
Sharp, stabbing pains behind the eyes (optic neuritis)
Speech difficulties, slurring, stuttering and repetitive speech
Memory loss
Bladder and/or bowel incontinence
Pain in various parts of the body
Tightness in abdominal area; feels like tight bands around the waist (a.k.a. MS Hug)
Impotence
Mood swings
Appearance of being under the influence of alcohol
Depression

These symptoms can change over time, and even go into remission for periods of time. Some people with MS will experience only a few of these symptoms, while others will experience many more. In addition, symptoms can increase in excessive heat or during times of stress, causing exacerbations.

Four Clinical Courses of Multiple Sclerosis

Relapsing/Remitting:This is the most common stage of MS at the time of original diagnosis (85%). Patients experience clearly defined “flare-ups” (acute episodes in which neurological functions worsen). This is followed by partial or complete recovery periods call “remissions.”

Secondary/Progressive: Seen in approximately 50% of people with relapsing/remitting MS within 10 years of the original diagnosis. Patient’s disease course gradually/continually worsens with or without any flare-ups or minor improvements over time.

Primary/Progressive: Patients with this type of MS (10%) experience a slow but nearly continuous worsening of the disease from the beginning. Relapses or remissions are generally absent. These patients may see periods of no degradation and even small improvements.

Progressive/Relapsing: Patients with this type of MS (5%) display ever worsening symptoms of MS accompanied by flare-ups that may not be followed by any type of recovery period.

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More MS Facts

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disorder of the brain and spinal cord involving decreased nerve function associated with scar formation on the covering of nerve cells. In many cases, MS symptoms include various stages of paralysis.

Multiple sclerosis involves repeated episodes of inflammation that destroy the myelin sheath that covers nerve fibers, leaving multiple areas of scar tissue (sclerosis) along the covering of the nerve cells. This results in slowing or blockage of nerve impulse transmission in that area.

MS often progresses with episodes that last days, weeks, or months alternating with times of reduced or no symptoms (remission). Recurrence (relapse) is common.

The exact cause of MS is unknown. Studies indicate an environmental factor may be involved. There is a higher incidence in northern Europe, northern United States, southern Australia, and New Zealand than in other areas of the world. There may also be a familial tendency toward the disorder.

MS is believed to be a type an abnormal immune response directed against the central nervous system (CNS). The exact antigen — the target the immune cells are sensitized to attack — remains unknown. In recent years, researchers have identified which immune cells are mounting the attack, how they are activated to attack, and some of the sites, or receptors, on the attacking cells that appear to be attracted to the myelin to begin the destructive process.

Theories about the cause of MS include the role of a virus-type organism, an abnormality of the genes responsible for control of the immune system, or a combination of both.

MS affects approximately 1 out of 1,000 people. Women are affected more commonly than men. The disorder most commonly begins between 20 to 40 years old but can happen at any age.

MS symptoms include weakness of one or more extremities, paralysis of one or more extremities, tremor of one or more extremities, muscle spasticity (uncontrollable spasm of muscle groups), movement dysfunction, numbness, tingling, pain, loss of vision, loss or coordination and balance, incontience, loss of memory or judgment and fatigue.

Symptoms may vary with each attack. Fever can trigger or worsen attacks, as can hot baths, sun exposure, and stress.

MS varies greatly from person to person and in the severity and the course of the disease. Some people have few attacks and little disability. Others have “relapsing-remitting” MS which means they have a series of attacks (exacerbations) followed by periods of recovery (remissions).

Some have what is called “progressive” disease that can be “primary” or “secondary.” People with primary-progressive MS have steady worsening (or progression) from onset with only minor recovery. Secondary-progressive MS begins with a series of relapses and recovery but becomes steadily progressive over time with continued worsening. Most people with MS have the relapsing-remitting or secondary-progressive forms.

There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis. There are promising new therapies that may decrease exacerbations and delay progression of the disease. Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and maintaining function to give the maximum quality of life.

Patients with a relapsing-remitting course are now placed on immune modulating therapy that requires injection under the skin or in the muscle once or several times a week. This may be in the form of interferon (such as Avonex or Betaseron) or another drug called glatiramer acetate (Copaxone). They are all similar in their effectiveness and the decision on which to use depends on one’s side-effect profile.

Steroids are often given to decrease the severity of an attack. Other common MS medicines include baclofen, tizanidine or diazepam may be used to reduce muscle spasticity. Cholinergic medications may be helpful to reduce urinary problems. Antidepressant medications may be helpful for mood or behavior symptoms. Amantadine may be given for fatigue.

Physical therapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy may improve the person’s outlook, reduce depression, maximize function, and improve coping skills. A planned exercise program early in the course of MS helps to maintain muscle tone.

Attempts should be made to avoid fatigue, stress, physical deterioration, temperature extremes, and illness to reduce factors that may trigger an MS attack.

The expected outcome is variable and unpredictable. Although the disorder is chronic and incurable, life expectancy can be normal or nearly so, with a life span of 35 or more years after diagnosis occurring commonly. Most people with MS continue to walk and function at work with minimal disability for 20 or more years.

Sources: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Multiple Scleosis Society, Consortium of MS Centers