Multiple Sclerosis

DOUGH GOOD
Feb 4
2 min read

Updated: Feb 20

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the nervous system. The body’s immune system attacks and breaks down the protective covering of nerve fibers, or myelin. This hinders the communication between the brain and the rest of the body, eventually leading to permanent damage to nerve fibers.

Types of MS

Relapsing-remitting MS - This is the most common type of MS. In Relapsing-remitting MS, some new symptoms or relapses develop over time, eventually improving to some extent. After the relapses are quiet periods of inactivity with disease remission until the next.
Secondary-progressive MS - This type of MS is faced by at least 20% to 40% of relapsing-remitting MS cases. People with secondary-progressive MS have a steady progression of their symptoms, sometimes without stretches of disease remission in between. The rate of this progression typically depends on the person, as every case is different.
Primary-progressive MS - This type of MS is characterized by a gradual onset, regular progression of symptoms and signs, and no relapses.
Clinically isolated syndrome - This syndrome is the term used for the first episode of a condition affecting the myelin. It can be diagnosed later as MS or another condition.
Radiologically isolated syndrome - This syndrome describes the findings on brain and spinal cord MRIs that appear to be MS, in a person who otherwise has no typical symptoms.

Common symptoms

Blurry or double vision
Electric-shock sensations with sudden neck movements, especially bending neck forward (Lhermitte sign)
Fatigue
Numbness
Lack of coordination
Trouble or inability to walk
Tingling
Weakness
Partial or complete loss of vision
Dizziness
Vertigo
Trouble with sexual, bowel, bladder function
Slurred speech
Troubles with memory, thinking, understanding information
Mood changes

How can MS be diagnosed?

MRI
Lumbar puncture or spinal tap
Optical coherence tomography
Evoked potential tests
Blood tests
Neuropsychological testing

How can MS be treated?

There is currently no cure for MS. However, there are many treatments that are typically used during MS attacks, to modify progression, or for symptoms in general. One treatment for MS attacks is corticosteroids, specifically oral prednisone and intravenous methylprednisolone, which are medicines that lessen nerve inflammation. However, these medications have side effects to take account of, like mood swings, increased blood glucose levels, increased blood pressure, fluid retention, and insomnia.

One treatment to modify MS progression includes many types of infusion treatments, while oral and injectable methods are also available. Common infusion treatments include natalizumab (Tysabri), which is an antibody, ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), ublituximab (Briumvi), which is a monoclonal antibody, and alemtuzumab (Campath, Lemtrada), which is also a monoclonal antibody.

Finally, symptom treatments of MS include muscle relaxants, therapy, and medicines to increase walking speed, reduce fatigue, and target other symptoms.