Multiple sclerosis - about the disease

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the nervous system, in particular the brain and spinal cord, which is accompanied by periodic disturbances of various functions of the body. The disease occurs due to the destruction of myelin - a substance that covers the nerve fibers that transmit impulses from the brain to different parts of the body and vice versa. When myelin is destroyed, scars are formed from the connective tissue, which is called sclerosis. These scars prevent the full transfer of signals from the brain to the body.

Most often, the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis occur at the age of 20 to 40 years, in elderly people this disease is much less common. Women suffer from multiple sclerosis about twice as often as men.

The causes of multiple sclerosis, or rather the destruction of myelin, are unknown to date. There is an assumption that this condition can be caused by a malfunction in the body's immune system. According to other theories, the destruction of myelin can be caused by exposure to the virus or toxins. Among the risk factors for the development of multiple sclerosis are a hereditary predisposition to the disease.

Multiple sclerosis is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are periodic in nature and may differ in different patients. This is due to the fact that in the disease can be damaged different parts of the nervous system, responsible for different functions of the body. Episodes of the disease can alternate with months or years of remission. However, multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease, therefore, over time, the periods of remission become shorter, and the exacerbations of the disease are more prolonged.

The most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis include:

• Tingling sensation in the arms and legs
• Decreased sensitivity
• Numbness or weakness of the limbs
• Attacks of dizziness
• Violation of coordination of movements and loss of balance
• Violations of speech
• Visual disorders
• Disorders of motor functions
• Sudden urge to urinate, urinary incontinence
• Constipation or stool incontinence
• Depression
• Memory impairment
• Weakness and fatigue.

Among the most serious complications of multiple sclerosis are paralysis, epilepsy and mental disorders.

As already mentioned earlier, the disease in each individual case proceeds in different ways, so it is difficult to make a prediction about the development of the disease in this or that patient. Nevertheless, if you do not turn in time for help to a specialist, the disease will progress and eventually lead to disability or even death. With proper treatment, most people with multiple sclerosis can keep working, although there are cases when patients are chained to a wheelchair.

At present, multiple sclerosis is an incurable disease. Treatment of multiple sclerosis is aimed at slowing the progression of the disease, alleviating symptoms and reducing the incidence of exacerbations of the disease. So, during the attacks of the disease you need to take steroid hormones. In addition, patients may be prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, pain medications, bladder control products and other drugs that can alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

During periods of remission, patients need to rest, avoid fatigue and stress, adhere to a rational diet, undergo physiotherapy to prevent impairment of motor functions. To prevent problems with urination, it is recommended to drink cranberry juice. Other ways of long-term prophylaxis of episodes of the disease include strengthening the immune system, sanitation at health resorts, therapeutic gymnastics, massages.