Multiple sclerosis is an immune mediated disease that affects the protective covering (called myelin) of the nerves. The nerves of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves are typically affected in this disease. As this protective covering is affected, the information from the brain to the rest of the body is not transmitted properly and as a result, various symptoms occur.
The exact cause of MS is not definitely known and no one cause can be pin-pointed. Underlying genetic factors and body’s own immune system affect in a big way. However, scientific research has suggested a role of some of the viruses and other environmental factors as ethnicity and geography, which are possibly connected to MS. Some plausible acquired factors include low vitamin D levels, smoking and obesity during childhood and adolescence Hence, we do know that something triggers body’s own immune system to react abnormally against its own nerves, hampering the nerve transmission. Remember- NO ONE CAUSE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MS. MS IS BEST DEFINED BY AN INTERPLAY OF SOME YET TO BE DEFINED GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS.
MS is typically a disease of young aged people, commonly between 20-40 years. However, it can occur in children as well as adults.
Since the nerves of brain, spinal cord and optic nerves are affected, patients can experience symptoms as numbness or weakness in arms/legs, blurring of vision, problems with urination, imbalance, tightness in legs, memory or mood problems, among others. No two patients are similar, hence the symptoms tend to vary from person to person.
It is very important that MS is diagnosed and treated early. Many symptoms of MS are ignored considering their resemblance to some nutritional deficiencies, and patients end up taking multivitamins for their symptoms. Many of the minor MS symptoms do self-resolve even without treatment. Hence it is vital that care is sought at an appropriate time and from an appropriate person, who can diagnose your symptoms. If the disease is diagnosed early and treated adequately in time, patients shall be able to live their ‘normal life’. That is why we encourage and reverberate-TIME IS BRAIN IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TOO. Once this crucial time is gone, the disease might not remain entirely under control and you can experience some progressive problems.
MS does not affect your fertility. People with MS can conceive and have babies, without any questions. Studies suggest that the disease activity decreases during pregnancy. Usually the medicines are withheld during pregnancy, in order to mitigate their side-effects on your baby. However, with the availability of effective and newer treatment options, your physician will be able to guide you how to minimize the chances of your baby getting affected due to your medicines per-se. The timing of your pregnancy in relation to the disease activity plays a vital role.
When we say that genetics has an important role in MS, this does not mean that the disease will pass on from one generation to next. However, the risk can be inherited. For example, when among the identical twins, if one has MS, the other twin will have 1 in 4 risk of developing MS. The risk is far less than this, if your parent, sibling or children have been diagnosed with MS. Remember- NO ONE CAUSE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MS.
MS science is one of the most rapidly evolving field, wherein every 6 months or so, new treatment options come up. Times have changed, when previously we used to have only a handful of treatment options. Now we have a wide variety of options available to choose from, which are better tolerable than previous ones, are affordable and effective. To name a few- dimethylfumarate, teriflunomide, fingolimod, natalizumab, rituximab, among others. Higher end options as alemtuzumab, and even stem cell transplant for MS are now available at specialized centers. You can contact your healthcare provider for further queries, who should be able to judge your suitability for these treatments.