Overview
Overview
| Diagnosis | Symptoms
| Treatment
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be an autoimmune
disease in which the body’s own immune system mistakenly
attacks normal tissues of the body. In MS, these attacks
are aimed at the myelin in the Central Nervous System (CNS).
The Central Nervous System, which includes the brain and
spinal cord, is made up of nerves that act as the body’s
messenger system. Each nerve has a fatty covering of myelin
that serves as insulation, which helps in the transmission
of nerve impulses (messages) between the brain and other
parts of the body. Once myelin in a certain area has been
damaged, normal nerve function is disturbed and a number
of symptoms can be experienced. The types of symptoms, severity
of symptoms, and the course of MS varies widely due in part
to the sites of the plaques and the extent of demyelination.
The Cause of Multiple Sclerosis
There is no known cause of MS; the disease is probably
related to a number of factors. While symptoms relate to
problems with the central nervous system, MS appears to
be a disease of immune system function. The ultimate consequence
of MS is the entrance of immune cells into the CNS, attacks
on the myelin, and eventually myelin loss and scarring.
The entire process results in the failure of nerve impulses
acting properly.
The Course of MS
The course of multiple sclerosis varies from person
to person and there is no way to predict how a person’s
MS will progress. Four basic types of MS have been defined:
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Relapsing-Remitting:
characterized by acute attacks (exacerbations) with
full recovery or some neurological symptoms after
recovery. The periods between disease relapses are
characterized by a lack of disease progression.
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Primary-Progressive:
characterized by a gradual but steady progression
of disability, without any obvious relapses and remissions.
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Secondary-Progressive:
initially begins with a relapsing-remitting course,
but later evolves into progression at a variable rate.
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Progressive-Relapsing:
characterized by a steady progression in disability
with acute attacks that may or may not have some recovery
following an acute episode.
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