Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects the central nervous system including the brain and spinal cord. it is caused due to degeneration of myelin, a substance that forms a protective covering on the nerves. This leads to impairment in conduction of signals between the body parts, resulting in problems related to walking, writing, memory, speech, and so on, depending on the part of the brain and nervous system that is affected. there are about 350,000 cases of multiple sclerosis in Unites States alone. it is generally diagnosed in people between the age of 20 and 50; however, children and older adults are also likely to develop this disorder.

There is no established cause of multiple sclerosis, where it has been attributed to autoimmune diseases by researchers and neurologists. an autoimmune disease prompts the immune system to act against the body’s own cells or organs, thinking them to be foreign. This may lead to the immune system acting against myelin, resulting in its depletion. Though the body may produce more myelin to compensate for the loss, more often the reduction of myelin is faster than the production, resulting in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis has been classified depending on the symptoms experienced by the patients. Some types of multiple sclerosis are mentioned below:

Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: This is the most common form of multiple sclerosis, characterized by a series of attacks, followed by partial or complete disappearance of symptoms. A person suffering from this type of multiple sclerosis has a relapse some weeks after the attack. This condition may continue for years together. This forms the initial stage of multiple sclerosis, where 70-80% patients report with the symptoms.

Primary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: This type of multiple sclerosis sets in gradually, where there is slow deterioration in the patient’s physical condition. in such cases there is no relapse, where the patient suffers from the disorder continuously from the time of its onset. Around 10-20% of multiple sclerosis cases come under this type.

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis include impairment in functioning of several parts of the body. Problems in vision such as blurred vision, sudden blindness or red-green distortion are one of the very first indicators of the disorder. Along with this a person may suffer from movement and balance problem combined with muscle weakness. The person may also feel dizzy, weak; feel tremors, have impaired speech and loss of sensation in different parts of the body. Around 50% patients suffer from mental disorders such as attention deficits, memory loss, decrease in concentration, depression, paranoia, and so on.

A neurologist diagnoses the disorders through a series of tests including MRI scan, electro-physiological test and examination of cerebro-spinal fluid. A neurologist considers many aspects while treating a patient with multiple sclerosis. The aim of the treatment is to reduce number of attacks and relapse, improving a person’s ability to recover from an attack, and slowing down further spread of the disorder. The treatment involves medication depending on the extent of the problem and medical history of the patient. Though multiple sclerosis cannot be completely treated it can be effectively managed through medication and therapy.

Related Posts:

Tags: about multiple sclerosis, facts and causes, multiple sclerosis, multiple sclerosis treatment, symptoms of multiple sclerosis

Susan Barton will give a free presentation on the symptoms and solutions of dyslexia Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Leadership Christian Academy, 5900 Sterrettania Road, Fairview Township. find out why those affected by dyslexia struggle and what you can do to help. Reserve a seat at DianePrice.EventBrite.com. For additional information, call 833-0286.

Swami Atmarupa Saraswati, director of Atma Yoga Center in Cleveland, presents Deepening your Awareness with Satyananda Yoga on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Plasha Yoga Studio, 4508 Zuck Road. Suitable for beginners, experienced beginners and intermediates. the cost is $45. Call 864-1114 to register or go to plashayoga.com for details.

T.O.P.S. (Take off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter no. 1440 meets Wednesdays at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1002 Powell Ave. Weigh-in time is 9:30 to 10 a.m., followed by a meeting from 10 to 11 a.m. Annual membership is $26, or pay $1.50 per week. For more information, call 838-2222.

Erie Center on Health & Aging is offering a Healthy Steps for Older Adults workshop, a falls risk-reduction program for adults age 50 and older. the workshop will be held Wednesday at the Millcreek Municipal Building, 3608 W. 26th St. To register, call 453-5072.

ScienceDaily (Mar. 16, 2011) — Clinical depression can exacerbate the symptoms of knee arthritis beyond what is evident on X-rays, according to a new study from the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS). Patients with mild to moderate knee arthritis are especially affected by depression, the study notes.

"Knee osteoarthritis is a common cause of pain and impairment in older adults," said Tae Kyun Kim, MD, study author and director of the Division of Knee Surgery and Sports Medicine at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital’s Joint Reconstruction Center. "Often, the level of arthritic symptoms reported by patients is much more severe than what is represented by X-rays, which can make it difficult for the doctor to treat.

"the results of this study indicate that depression can play a major role in the way patients experience the symptoms of knee arthritis, and that even when X-rays show the arthritis is not severe, patients with depression may report significant pain," Dr. Kim said. "the relationship between pain and depression suggests that both should be considered by physicians when treating patients with knee osteoarthritis, particularly in those with X-rays not indicating severe damage to the joint."

The study included 660 men and women aged 65 years or older who were evaluated for the severity of their knee arthritis on X-rays, as well as symptom severity. Patient interviews and questionnaires were used to assess coincident depressive disorders. the study was conducted as a part of the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging (KLoSHA).

As expected, the researchers found the levels of pain attributed to knee arthritis were higher in patients whose X-rays indicated greater joint damage; however, they also found depressive disorders were associated with an increase in pain in patients with mild to moderate knee arthritis, even when X-rays did not show significant joint damage.

"when evaluating the results of this study, the contribution of depression to knee osteoarthritis symptoms was almost as important as the damage indicated on X-rays," Dr. Kim noted.

Knee arthritis typically affects men and women over 50 years of age, and occurs most frequently in people who are overweight. Common symptoms include:

• pain or stiffness in or around the knee;
• swelling of the knee;
• limited range of motion when walking or moving the knee; or
• knee weakness or a feeling of instability.

In more severe cases, the knee joint may appear deformed, such as bowlegged or knock-kneed appearance, either bulging outward or toward the side of the leg. Knee replacement surgery is often performed in patients with severe symptoms.

Although studies have indicated depression is not uncommon among older adults, it remains largely underdiagnosed. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):

• The risk of depression increases with other illnesses and when ability to function becomes limited.
• Estimates of major depression in older people range from 1 percent to 5 percent among those living in the community, to as high as 11.5 percent in hospital patients and 13.5 percent in those who require home healthcare.
• An estimated 5 million older adults have mild depression, which is often undiagnosed. Symptoms of depression may include:
• feelings of sadness or hopelessness;
• loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed;
• change in appetite or sleep patterns;
• difficulty thinking and remembering; or
• frequent thoughts of death or dying.

"Despite the reported satisfactory outcomes of knee replacement surgery a percentage of patients still experience knee pain and impaired movement," said Dr. Kim said. "Sometimes pain and disability after surgery is medically unexplained, so in these patients screening for depression might be a very good option."

Email or share this story:

Story Source:

the above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: this article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.