MS is a disease that affects more females than males between 20 and 40 years of age
Its causes are unknown, but studies suggest that there are several factors that contribute to the occurrence of the disease, including:
1. Geographical location as it is widely spread in Europe.
2. Genetic factor, where the rate of infection among brothers up to 3%.
3. Environmental factors Some viruses may cause the disease but there are no confirmed studies linking a specific virus.
The main problem of the disease is to attack lymphocytes of the nervous system, leading to the erosion of the substance surrounding the nerves (Myelin Sheath), which in turn leads to disorders in the function of the nervous system.
Its symptoms are multiple and usually do not come at once but are spaced over time:
1. Pain in the eye (Optic Neuritis) … and usually affects one eye and increase pain with the movement of the eye.
2. Interruption of the horizontal eye movement (Internuclear Ophthalmoplegia).
3. Bored in the limbs.
4. Pain is similar to the flow of the electrical current in the back when the neck movement (Lhermitte’s phenomenon).
5. Dizziness.
6. Weakness in the limbs.
7. Fatigue.
8. Depression.
Diagnosis of the disease is carried out through a series of laboratory tests, radiation and neurological examinations, which are all done by a neurologist.
Multiple Sclerosis Course: There may be any pathway in any patient … usually this is not defined since the beginning of the disease but depends on the relapses that occur later to determine the type.
1. Relapsing-Remitting: This is what happens when a person experiences a relapse in which a specific function of the nervous system is affected and after a period things return to normal, where the patient is normal between relapses without residue of dysfunction.
Secondary Progressive: In this case, the disease starts as in the first type, but over time these relapses leave effects and do not fully recover, resulting in a cumulative effect of dysfunction in the function of the nervous system.
3. (Primary progressive): In this type since the first relapse there is a dysfunction in the nervous system and is not due to its nature and continues to increase gradually over time without any other severe setbacks.
4. Progressive relapsing: In this case, the effect is clear since the first setback, so that the function does not return to its normal nature. The effects of weakness are present. Each time there is a relapse, there is a cumulative effect.
Approximately 15% of patients do not suffer a second relapse after the first diagnosis. If the disease is 15 years without any other injury and no first traces of relapse, it is benign multiple sclerosis.