Multiple Sclerosis
... Background “Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting movement, sensation, and bodily functions. ... Most people afflicted by Multiple Sclerosis experience the first symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40; women are more affected by it twice as much as men. ... North America or Australia, tend to suffer more from Multiple Sclerosis than people originating from areas close to the equatorial region, such as Africa. ... Physiological Influence Multiple Sclerosis is an illness in which the white matter of the central nervous system is compromised. Axons, nerve cell extensions along which nervous impulses travel, are covered by myelin, which becomes inflamed over the course of Multiple Sclerosis. ... This is where the disease gets its name, multiple sclerosis or multiple scarring. ... Types of Multiple Sclerosis As MS is a complicated disease, it comes in four various types, each with different stages. While Multiple Sclerosis does not cause death per say, a small percentage of MS sufferers do die due to symptoms and complications associated with MS. When first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, 85% of people are told they suffer from Relapsing-Remitting MS. ... Also known as Marburg MS, this kind of multiple sclerosis presents with the highest mortality rate and is therefore the most feared presentation of multiple sclerosis known. ... Symptoms and Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis The symptoms MS associates itself with are dependent on which areas of the central nervous system have been demyelinated and inflamed, as well as how much tissue has been ruined in this process. When initially experiencing symptomatic multiple sclerosis, symptoms often come and go. ... As these symptoms are very general and may also be common with other illnesses, diagnosing multiple sclerosis usually takes time. ... A standard medical history and simple neurological tests are completed, yet further investigation is usually needed to confirm a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. ... Using these types of diagnostic resources, over time, can usually provide a clear diagnosis of multiple sclerosis as well as the illness’ present stage. ... Summary Multiple Sclerosis, a disease thought to be of autoimmune origin, affects about half a million of Americans. ... While a cure for Multiple Sclerosis has yet to be found, once the diagnosis is made, symptoms may be treated with steroids and other drugs, such as interferon, which is showing much promise.