Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the brain and spinal cord, affecting the protective cover (myelin sheath) of nerve cells. It is also known as encephalomyelitis disseminata or disseminated sclerosis. The damage alters the function of part of the nervous system resulting in a diversity of signs and symptoms including both physical and mental problems. The symptoms may either resolve completely or they may give rise to permanent neurological impairment. MS prevention is still yet to be fully defined since the causes of this chronic disease have not been clearly understood.
The aetiological factors of this condition are a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. Certain genetic variations have been shown to increase the risk of MS. The risk is higher in relatives of the affected individual with probability increasing among those very closely related. Identical twins have the highest chance of being victims, followed by fraternal twins, siblings and step siblings in that order. Predisposition is ten times higher when both parents are victims.
Microbial infection has also been implicated as an aetiological factor in MS. Two hypotheses have been developed to back the theory; hygiene hypothesis and prevalence hypothesis. With hygiene, disease presents after a secondary exposure to a given agent with primary contact being protective. In the case of prevalence, the disease is as a result of a microbe more common in areas where MS is outstanding with no symptom manifestation. Certain viral infections have been associated with MS including herpes, Epstein Bar Virus, mumps and measles.
Several risk factors are thought to greatly contribute to worsening of MS. These factors include occupational exposure to toxins, smoking, hormonal treatments, stress, diet and vaccination among others. Avoiding these factors and behaviors is said to lower the risk of the condition significantly.
In terms of the pathologic presentation, there are three main features that have been identified. These include inflammation, damage and formation of lesions on myelin sheaths. These processes all contribute to the breakdown of the protective tissues and thus cause the characteristic symptoms. Autoimmune reactions at these sites are thought to play a prominent role.
Four clinical courses exist; relapsing remitting, secondary and primary progressive and progressive relapsing. The relapsing remitting form is characterized by alternating periods of disease manifestation (relapse) and asymptomatic periods (remission). Secondary progressive occurs as a later stage of relapsing remitting type in 65% cases.
Whenever an attack occurs, the initial priority should be to restore the CNS function and to prevent subsequent attacks. Efforts to avoid permanent disability should also be made. A number of pharmacological agents have been found to be helpful in delaying the progression of disease. The leading agents are beta interferon and glatiramer. Prompt treatment of flu particularly in the months following delivery in women.
Elevated body temperature can worsen the symptoms of MS by causing the already affected nerves to function even more poorly. For this reason, air conditioners are recommended for affected persons. Victims should avoid hot swimming pools and hot bath tubs. In a nutshell, there is no known way of MS prevention other than minimizing the predisposing factors.
The aetiological factors of this condition are a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. Certain genetic variations have been shown to increase the risk of MS. The risk is higher in relatives of the affected individual with probability increasing among those very closely related. Identical twins have the highest chance of being victims, followed by fraternal twins, siblings and step siblings in that order. Predisposition is ten times higher when both parents are victims.
Microbial infection has also been implicated as an aetiological factor in MS. Two hypotheses have been developed to back the theory; hygiene hypothesis and prevalence hypothesis. With hygiene, disease presents after a secondary exposure to a given agent with primary contact being protective. In the case of prevalence, the disease is as a result of a microbe more common in areas where MS is outstanding with no symptom manifestation. Certain viral infections have been associated with MS including herpes, Epstein Bar Virus, mumps and measles.
Several risk factors are thought to greatly contribute to worsening of MS. These factors include occupational exposure to toxins, smoking, hormonal treatments, stress, diet and vaccination among others. Avoiding these factors and behaviors is said to lower the risk of the condition significantly.
In terms of the pathologic presentation, there are three main features that have been identified. These include inflammation, damage and formation of lesions on myelin sheaths. These processes all contribute to the breakdown of the protective tissues and thus cause the characteristic symptoms. Autoimmune reactions at these sites are thought to play a prominent role.
Four clinical courses exist; relapsing remitting, secondary and primary progressive and progressive relapsing. The relapsing remitting form is characterized by alternating periods of disease manifestation (relapse) and asymptomatic periods (remission). Secondary progressive occurs as a later stage of relapsing remitting type in 65% cases.
Whenever an attack occurs, the initial priority should be to restore the CNS function and to prevent subsequent attacks. Efforts to avoid permanent disability should also be made. A number of pharmacological agents have been found to be helpful in delaying the progression of disease. The leading agents are beta interferon and glatiramer. Prompt treatment of flu particularly in the months following delivery in women.
Elevated body temperature can worsen the symptoms of MS by causing the already affected nerves to function even more poorly. For this reason, air conditioners are recommended for affected persons. Victims should avoid hot swimming pools and hot bath tubs. In a nutshell, there is no known way of MS prevention other than minimizing the predisposing factors.
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