Home | health | Here’s What You Need To Know To Understand Multiple Sclerosis

Here’s what you need to know to understand multiple sclerosis

Here’s what you need to know to understand multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune and potentially disabling disease. The signs and symptoms of the disease are severe in some cases. Most people experience a much milder form of MS with long periods of remission. MS also has no cure, hence it is important to stay informed. Read on to find out more about MS- it’s symptoms, types and treatment methods.

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system that is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. In this condition, the body’s immune system affects the protective covering (myelin) of the nerve fibers, causing problems between the brain and the rest of the body. As the disease progresses, it can lead to complete debilitation and disability.

Considering that MS is actually an autoimmune disease, the cause of the disease is still a mystery. But, scientists believe that multiple sclerosis can be triggered by a bunch of different environmental and genetic factors.

Types of multiple sclerosis

There are two types of MS:

  • Relapsing-remitting MS

Relapsing-remitting MS is a condition wherein the person will experience episodes of worsening symptoms. These episodes are followed by a period of remission which can last for years at a time. Statistics show that more than 8 out of 10 people have relapsing-remitting MS. Most of the people who are diagnosed with this type of MS eventually develop secondary progressive MS.

  • Primary progressive MS

Primary progressive MS is when the person experiences symptoms without periods of remission and relapses. Once MS is triggered, the symptoms only worsen over time without any relief.

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis

Signs and symptoms of MS vary from one person to another. Despite this, there are a few common symptoms that affect movement.

  • Tremors and lack of coordination
  • Sensations of shock in the neck that occur due to certain neck movements
  • Numbing of the limbs or one side of the body

Other symptoms that are synonymous with multiple sclerosis are fatigue, dizziness, slurring while speaking, blurry vision, possible loss of vision, double vision, and even problems related to bowel and bladder function. Experiencing a tingling sensation on some parts of the body and problems with sexual function are also commonly observed in people who have MS.

Treatments for multiple sclerosis

MS has no cure, but the symptoms can be managed with the help of medication. Different modes of treatment are used to tackle specific symptoms in an individual. There are also disease-modifying therapies that can be used to reduce or manage the number of relapses in people who are diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment to slow down the disease when it comes to primary progressive MS.

Living with multiple sclerosis

As of 2019, a study conducted by the National MS Society showed that nearly 1 million people living in the country have been diagnosed with MS. This number is almost twice as high compared to the survey conducted in 1975. This means, finding a cure or having better treatment options is almost twice as necessary now. Meanwhile, we need to ensure that people who are diagnosed with this condition know how to handle it.

Read Also

Know more about exciting & latest articles right here

Top 4 reasons for unnatural hair loss patterns

Top 4 reasons for unnatural hair loss patterns

Hair loss is a natural process that automatically gets rid of old tissue and hair to promote new growth. So don’t be alarmed when you do find a few strands of hair tangled in your comb. However, a clearly visible scalp and a receding hairline are indicative of developing the problem of permanent hair loss. There are several internal and external factors that can accelerate hair fall, leading to pattern baldness in both men and women. Here are the top four reasons that trigger unnatural hair fall. Stress Stress ranks among the top risk factors associated with many medical conditions. In fact, one way or the other, taking physical or psychological stress harms the body more than you can imagine. For hair loss, especially, excessive shedding starts right after the body undergoes physical or psychological distress. A few examples include experiencing high fever, blood loss due to accident or injury, or even post-surgery recovery can result in stress that causes hair loss. Stress, coupled with anxiety, results in accelerated hair loss. To cope with this problem and reduce its effects, stress management is of crucial importance. Hormonal changes Men and women both experience hormonal changes throughout their lifetime. However, an imbalance associated with various conditions can trigger hair loss.
Read More
Learn about these 3 types of hearing loss

Learn about these 3 types of hearing loss

Hearing loss, deafness, or impairment is the partial or total inability to hear sounds. People with low to moderate hearing impairment face challenges in understanding what the other person is saying in a noisy environment. Whereas, people with severe deafness cannot hear anything, and rely completely on lip-reading and sign language skills. There are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and a combination of both. Let’s understand these types in detail and learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of each type. Sensorineural hearing loss It’s the most common type of hearing loss. Sensorineural is permanent hearing loss often caused by damage to the tiny hair cells that line the inner ear or the auditory nerve. The damage stops or weakens the transfers of nerve signals to the brain. These signals are essentially the intensity and clarity of sounds. Causes: Aging and exposure to loud noises for a long period of time are the most common cause of the damage. Certain medications and illnesses can also increase risks. It can even be genetic, and pass on to the child in the mother’s womb. Treatment: There is no medical or surgical treatment available to repair the tiny hair cells once they’re damaged.
Read More
Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

The heart is the most crucial organ in the body and as the system will cease to function if the heart stops or loses momentum pumping fresh oxygenated blood. This is why it is vital to not neglect your heart health at all and responsibly maintain a healthy, stress-free, and more importantly, a happy lifestyle. Here are a few simple lifestyle changes that will help support a healthy heart function. Switch to a healthy diet Avoid eating foods that are rich in trans and saturated fats. Most foods you find on the shelves of the supermarket contain large quantities of one or the other. Instead, switch to low-fat high fiber alternatives to help manage cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level in the body automatically reduces the risk of heart diseases. The simple reason for this is that fats that normally block major arteries and blood vessels are eliminated from these foods choices. It is also advisable to limit the salt (sodium) intake to control blood pressure and sugar to reduce the risk of diabetes simultaneously. Change certain lifestyle habits Reduce the number of alcoholic or carbonated drinks you have regularly. For men, it is advisable to have not more than two drinks and day and women must have only one.
Read More
How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

Heartburn is an unpleasant, burning sensation in the chest that is more common than a lot of individuals realize. Pregnant women, older men, and even young adults experience it frequently. Despite it being such a prevalent experience, not many know that heartburn has actually nothing to do with the heart and everything to do with the stomach and the esophagus. Unsurprisingly enough, heartburn is also used interchangeably with GERD. But, before we get to deciphering heartburn and GERD, let’s understand what acid reflux is. What is acid reflux or GER? Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter or LES becomes weak, allowing the contents of the stomach to travel in the wrong direction, back up the esophagus. Acid reflux is also called GER or gastroesophageal reflux as it involves the stomach and esophagus. This condition can usually be resolved with over-the-counter medication. What is heartburn? Heartburn is a burning or painful sensation that is experienced in the chest. Since the lining of the esophagus is not as strong as the lining of the stomach, the acid from the stomach can cause a burning sensation in the chest. This pain or burning sensation that is heartburn can often be misconstrued for a heart attack.
Read More