What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system disease that is believed to happen when the immune system identifies healthy nervous system tissue as unhealthy tissue and begins to attack it. MS is a chronic disease, and it is unpredictable.
What Are the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis can cause a number of different symptoms, and it may be different for each person. Common symptoms include blurry vision, balance issues, coordination issues, slurring of speech, tremors, numbness in the extremities or other areas, chronic exhaustion, problems with concentrating, memory loss, paralysis, and blindness.
Who Gets MS?
Multiple sclerosis strikes people between ages 20 and 50 in most cases. While childhood diagnosis is rare, it does happen. Some elderly people up to 75 years old have also developed Multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis appears far more often in women. Certain environmental factors, including cigarette smoking and a lack of vitamin D, can increase the risk of developing Multiple sclerosis. At this time, there is no evidence that Multiple sclerosis is an inherited disease but there may be some genetic risk factors.
How is Multiple Sclerosis Treated?
There are several FDA-approved drugs that are known as “disease modifying” medications available today. The drugs work in several ways, including reducing or alleviating inflammation, reducing Multiple Sclerosis attack frequency, and even slowing the progression of disability. Other medications may be used to help manage some of the symptoms of Multiple sclerosis, including pain, spasms, bladder issues, exhaustion, muscle weakness, and cognitive issues. The most important thing that any Multiple sclerosis patient can do is to work closely with a highly experienced neurologist. A neurologist with training in this area can correctly identify all issues associated with Multiple sclerosis and can offer highly effective treatments that are customized for the individual patient.
Call WeCare Neurology, or make an appointment online today, if you want to be evaluated for Multiple Sclerosis.