Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis or MS is a demyelinating disease that affects the brain, spinal cord,
and nervous system. Myelin is a protective fatty layer covering the axons of nerve endings and
is essential to nerve function. Once myelin is stripped away the nerves can no longer
communicate with the rest of the nervous system.
This systematic breakdown of communication between nerves can affect the body in
various ways and in almost infinite degrees: blindness, muscle weakness, paresthesia, paralysis,
incontinence, and loss of fine motor coordination are just a few. MS can be relapsing, meaning
that patients will experience recurring attacks of symptoms of the disease; or it can be
progressive, meaning the disease and accompanying symptoms will gradually compound and
worsen over its course.
The cause of MS is still unknown and is as of yet, is considered an autoimmune disease,
as the body appears to be attacking its own tissues. There are several risk factors thought to
increase chances of contracting the ailment, such as family history of the disease, sex females
are twice as likely, amongst other debated factors.
Multiple Sclerosis is diagnosed by a doctor; typically a neurologist and can be detected
with blood tests, MRIs, spinal taps, and evoked potential tests, depending upon the symptoms of
the individual.
There is no cure for the disease, typical treatment usually consists of managing
symptoms, slowing the progression of damage, and quicker recovery from attacks or relapses. .
Because of the diverse and wide range of symptoms there are several ways to treat patients.

Some patients symptoms are so mild they require no treatment, while others take a considerable
length of time to recover in various therapies. Attacks are typically treated with corticosteroids
and plasmapheresis- or plasma exchange. For relapsing- remitting MS there are several drug
therapies available to ward off relapses. Patients are also encouraged to other therapies such as
yoga and meditation, but there is little evidence supporting outright benefit in managing the
disease.

Falicia Witt
Biology 1090
4/7/16