Multiple sclerosis overview and clinical features

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease. It affects the brain and spinal cord, and damages the covers that insulate the nerve cells. When these covers are damaged, the nervous system experiences a breakdown in communication. This causes a wide range of symptoms and signs that can affect numerous areas of the body. Mental and physical problems appear, along with a host of psychiatric issues in some patients. Multiple sclerosis can affect people very differently, and take more than one form. In most people, neurological problems occur and become permanent, although symptoms may come and go in the earlier stages of the disease.

Description of the Disease

In people with multiple sclerosis, the covers of the nerve endings become inflamed and damaged. This can be caused by infections and other environmental factors, but genetics have been believed to play a role, as well (Ascherio & Munger, 2007). Signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis include physical, mental, and psychological difficulties, as well as the emotional issues that can come with those changes. Most people who have multiple sclerosis find that they have "attacks" where they have trouble with various bodily systems for a period of time. Then those problems resolve, and it is easier for the person to function what would be considered to be more normally. However, each time these attacks occur, there are more issue for the person to face (Lublin & Reingold, 1996). The damage that is caused every time eventually begins to build up, and that can take its toll on the person in many different ways. Over time, the disease will progress, and that means the attacks will get worse and recovery from them will not be as successful (Weinshenker, 1994).

Those who have multiple sclerosis typically have a lifespan that is between five and 10 years shorter than what would be considered average (Balak, et al., 2012). That is not true for everyone with the disease, however. Each person reacts to it differently, and that can affect whether a person lives a "normal" life with the disease, or whether it takes its toll much faster than would be expected based on statistics. While it is not considered to be a disease that is passed down from one person to another, there are genetic factors that are commonly seen in those who have or will be likely to develop multiple sclerosis. Signs and symptoms that are presented, as well as various medical tests, are typically what are used in order to diagnose a person with multiple sclerosis (Comi, 2009). A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis can come at any age, although younger people are more commonly affected (Comi, 2009).

Current Statistics on MS

Multiple sclerosis is the most common of the autoimmune disorders that affect a person's central nervous system (Ascherio & Munger, 2007). There are between two million and two and one-half million people afflicted with multiple sclerosis throughout the world (Nakahara, et al., 2012). The numbers are vastly different based on region, with people further from the equator being affected in much larger numbers than those who are closer to the equator (Comi, 2009). Different "types" of people are also affected in different ways and at different rates. The genetic makeup of different ethnic groups may be a large part of the reason for the wide range of people who have multiple sclerosis and how the disease is seen much more commonly in certain groups when compared to others (Compston & Coles, 2008). Women are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis twice as commonly as men, with the onset of the disease most often coming between the ages of 20 and 50 years old (Killestein, Rudick, & Polman, 2011).

However, people younger than 20 and older than 50 can end up with a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, depending on the symptoms they have and the results of medical testing. The number of people being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis each year is remaining very stable, indicating that the disease is not progressing in that it is becoming more commonly seen (Nakahara, et al., 2012). Fortunately, that protects larger numbers of people from acquiring the disease, and indicates that those who are developing it are still seeing it in the same way past generations were experiencing it. New treatments are being used for multiple sclerosis, as well, even though there is still no cure for the disease (Ascherio & Munger, 2007). With the new treatments used and better ways of diagnosing multiple sclerosis faster, there is an opportunity for those who struggle with the disease to ensure that they can have continuing help and hope well into the future.

Effects on Bodily Systems

The effects on bodily systems are significant in those who have multiple sclerosis, as there is more than one system affected. Nearly any type of neurological symptom or sign can be seen in someone with multiple sclerosis (Ascherio & Munger, 2007). Visual, motor, autonomic, and sensory difficulties are the most commonly noticed (Comi, 2009). The symptoms and their specificity, though, are very different for each person. These symptoms are generally dependent on where the legions are located throughout the nervous system (Comi, 2009). When there are lesions in certain places, they affect specific areas of the body. Tingling sensations, pins and needles, and numbness are commonly felt, along with muscle weakness and reflexes that are very pronounced (Killestein, Rudick, & Polman, 2011). Some people also have difficulty moving, and there can be localized or wide-spread muscle spasms (Killestein, Rudick, & Polman, 2011).

Trouble with balance and coordination are seen in some people with multiple sclerosis, and double vision and other vision problems can appear (Weinshenker, 1994). Speech can be affected, and there are some multiple sclerosis sufferers who have trouble swallowing (Ascherio & Munger, 2007). Sufferers may also have acute or chronic pain, may feel very tired, and may have difficulties with their bowels or bladder (Compston & Coles, 2008). Having an unstable mood, experiencing depression, or having trouble thinking can also become serious considerations for those who have multiple sclerosis (Nakahara, et al., 2012). When a person with multiple sclerosis is exposed to temperatures that are higher than normal, he or she often finds that symptoms worsen, as well (Lublin & Reingold, 1996). Those who have multiple sclerosis generally try to live in climates where the weather is cooler most of the time, so they can avoid feeling poorly as much as possible.

Medications and Treatments