Movement and coordination are provided by the electrical signals sent by the brain to the body. Myelin is the sheath around nerve cells that protects nerve cells and helps them do their job. Damaged areas called 'plaques' form when the immune system attacks the myelin sheaths. As a result, there may be deterioration in actions such as walking, speaking and seeing, these are called MS attacks.

What is MS Disease (Multiple Sclerosis)?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic nervous system disease that shows its effect in the central nervous system and manifests itself with attacks.

The immune system recognizes its own cells while protecting the body against the outside. However, when the system breaks down for unknown reasons, the immune system attacks its own cells, especially the cells in the brain and spinal cord that provide nerve conduction.

Movement and coordination are provided by the electrical signals sent by the brain to the body. Myelin is the sheath around nerve cells that protects nerve cells and helps them do their job. Damaged areas called 'plaques' form when the immune system attacks the myelin sheaths. As a result, there may be deterioration in actions such as walking, speaking and seeing, these are called MS attacks.

However, the myelin layer renews itself and patients return to their daily lives. Attacks can occur at different times such as 1 week, 3 months, 1 year.  Attack times are different for each MS patient. Today, attacks can be prevented, their number and severity can be reduced by drugs, physical therapy and other methods.

MS is not a life-threatening disease. In some patients, movement and some cognitive losses may be encountered in later ages. Although there is no definitive treatment for the disease, advances in medicine, early diagnosis and measures to be taken under the control of a doctor reduce the problems experienced.

How Does MS Disease (Multiple Sclerosis) Follow a Course?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system disease. The central nervous system consists of the brain, cerebellum, brain stem, and spinal cord.  The name of this disease comes from sclerosis because it is seen in multiple parts of the brain, that is, multiple, hardening in the damaged tissue.

Nerve cells in the central nervous system produce all impulses electrically. The elongated arm of the nerve cells that transmits these signals is called the axon, and the tissue that surrounds and protects the nerve is called myelin. Myelin not only protects nerve cells, but also helps cells carry out their functions.

In MS patients, the axon and myelin layer can be damaged in different parts of the brain and cannot transmit nerve impulses properly. Depending on the damage to the nervous system, problems may occur in the senses, speech, vision, balance and walking. MS is more common in adults between the ages of 20 and 40. It is less likely to occur at earlier or older ages. MS Disease (Multiple Sclerosis)  is a disease that can progress without attacks or in the form of attacks. Attacks can be perceived as attacks in 85% of patients. These; It is called the persistence of problems such as weakness in the arms or legs, visual impairment or balance that do not exist in the person for 24 hours.

A person who has had a previous MS attack may relapse as a result of taking a shower with very hot water, being exposed to hot air, or having a febrile illness after the attacks have resolved. Attacks that occur in this situation are called pseudo attacks.

True attacks are usually observed for 24 hours. If left untreated, the duration of attacks can vary from 4 weeks to 2 months. If patients have not experienced such attacks before, and if these attacks last for 24 hours or more, it is recommended that they see a doctor as soon as possible.

Is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Deadly?

There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis (MS) . However, with the applied methods and changes in the lifestyle of the person, the attacks can be controlled.

Reasons

Multiple Sclerosis Causes

In addition to environmental factors (climate, living area, etc.) and previous viral infections, genetic predisposition also plays an important role in the formation of Multiple Sclerosis  .  MS Disease  can also occur as a result of a combination of genetic and environmental causes. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is mostly seen in women, especially between the ages of 20-40, but the reason for this difference is unknown.

While the incidence of MS in northern countries is 3 times higher than in countries close to the equator, research continues on the reason for this. Based on the low number of sunny days in northern countries compared to equatorial regions, some studies emphasize that vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for MS.

Symptoms

What are the Symptoms of MS Disease (Multiple Sclerosis)?

While MS symptoms appear as temporary attacks in the early stages of the disease, some symptoms such as loss of vision, balance or gait disturbance and limp speech may become permanent in later years when treatment is delayed.

For this reason, it is very important to know the symptoms of MS well and to consult a doctor on time. In addition, when the attacks have passed, it is absolutely necessary not to stop the treatment with the thought of "I got better anyway".

Symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, numbness and electric shocks in the body may develop intermittently during the day or may last for days or weeks.

symptoms

Tiredness

Numbness, tingling, weakness in different parts of the body, especially in the trunk, face, arms or legs

Balance or gait disturbance

Speech disorders such as lisp of the tongue

Bladder and bowel problems

dizziness

blurred vision

Difficulty thinking, memory, or concentration

Depression

However, these symptoms do not mean that the person has MS and has an attack. The presence of a neurological finding that does not exist before, lasting more than 24 hours, and worsening indicates the presence of an attack. In this case, the person should consult a doctor.

Diagnostic Methods

How Is MS Disease Diagnosed?

MS is diagnosed with the help of neurological examination, electrophysiological (tests measuring nerve conduction), cerebrospinal fluid examination and MRI. In the diagnosis of MS, the symptoms that occur in the patient should be explained to the doctor very well. Taking a detailed history and performing a detailed neurological examination is considered the most important rule.

An experienced doctor can make a clinical diagnosis of MS with a detailed history and examination.

Another important rule in confirming the diagnosis is the exclusion of other diseases that can be confused with MS. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the brain and spinal cord with MR imaging. In some patients, examination of the cerebrospinal fluid, blood tests and electrophysiological studies may also be required for a definitive diagnosis.