Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological diseases and affects over 2 million people around the world. MS symptoms vary with each person, since damage to the brain and nervous system is never predictable. MS can get progressively worse over time, or show mild symptoms that do not seriously impact your life for many years.
Features
MS is an autoimmune disease in which your own immune system attacks and damages myelin--a fatty, insulating cover around the nerves in your body and brain that helps nerve impulses to move through the body more quickly and efficiently. Scar tissue (plaque) is formed around the damaged myelin, and when damage or scar formation is severe, signals from the brain cannot get through to the body or be sent back to the brain. This causes the numerous symptoms associated with MS.
Identification
Early stages of multiple sclerosis may show only mild symptoms, such as fatigue, dizziness or nausea. Since MS affects the sensory nerves and nerves that go to muscles, other symptoms may include sensations of tingling in the arms and legs, muscle spasms, difficulty walking, blurred vision, weakness and difficulty speaking. As the disease progresses, it can affect nerves that control swallowing as well as bladder and bowel control. In very severe cases, MS can cause partial or complete paralysis.
Types
The majority of people with MS have one of two types--relapsing remitting (RRMS) or secondary progressive MS (SPMS). RRMS involves unexplained periods of flare-ups or development of new symptoms as well as remission. There can be long periods between symptoms where you feel healthy. SPMS starts with periods of flare-ups and remissions, but over time gets progressively worse. Other, less common types of MS get progressively worse over time. Benign MS involves one or two attacks of symptoms but the disease does not progress and you completely recovery from the attacks. You may never show symptoms after these initial attacks.
Prevention/Solution
Other illness, such as a bout with the flu, stress, exhaustion and high temperatures, can make MS symptoms worse or instigate a flare-up of symptoms. Don't overdo any activity and allow yourself to get fatigued. Always make sure that your body has time to rest and heal itself. Protect yourself against infection as best you can when others around you are sick. Eat a healthy, balanced diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, cold-water fish and organic poultry. Avoid processed, high-fat foods. Continue to engage in moderate exercise.
Considerations
Many people with MS will also experience emotional difficulties, including anxiety and depression. These may be normal reactions to learning to cope with a potentially life-changing illness. Find an MS support group in your area or ask your doctor to refer you to a counselor. Don't isolate yourself from others. Emotional difficulties may also be symptoms of effects MS has on the brain. Talk to your doctor about whether you may need antidepressants or other medications.
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