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Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. The color orange represents MS.
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and Disease Unpredictability
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.
MS is a disease that impacts the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. These make up the central nervous system. The central nervous system controls everything we do. The exact cause of MS is unknown. We do know, however, that something triggers the immune system to attack the central nervous system.
MS and Myelin
The resulting damage to myelin, the protective layer insulating wire-like nerve fibers, disrupts signals to and from the brain. For this reason, this interruption in communication signals causes unpredictable symptoms. For example, these symptoms include numbness, tingling, mood changes, memory problems, pain, fatigue, blindness and/or paralysis. However, everyone’s experience with MS is different and these issues may be temporary or long lasting.
The cause of MS is still unknown. Scientists, however, believe the disease is triggered by as-yet-unidentified environmental factors in a person who is genetically predisposed to respond.
MS is Different for Everyone. Learn More During Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month.
The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person, though, cannot yet be predicted. Most people diagnosed with MS are between the ages of 20 and 50. At least two to three times more women than men are diagnosed with the disease.
Within the central nervous system, the immune system attacks myelin, which is the fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the nerve fibers. In addition, it insulates the nerve fibers themselves. The damaged myelin forms scar tissue (sclerosis), which gives the disease its name. When any part of the myelin sheath or nerve fiber is damaged or destroyed, nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord are distorted or interrupted. This produces a wide variety of symptoms.
What to know about MS During Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
MS can be mild or severe, nearly undetectable, or affect your ability to see, write, speak, and walk. Here’s what you need to be aware of when it comes to recognizing symptoms and finding treatment.
What Causes Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis is likely an autoimmune disorder that’s almost completely unpredictable and affects everyone differently.
There are many possible causes of MS:
- Autoimmune disorders
- Infectious agents, such as viruses
- Environmental factors
- Genetic factors
While the symptoms of MS are often unpredictable, some seem to be the most common:
- Blurred or double vision
- Red-green color distortion
- Pain and loss of vision because of swelling of the optic nerve (optic neuritis)
- Trouble walking
Find Answers During Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
If you are experiencing symptoms, or are concerned you might have MS, talk to your doctor right away. While there is no cure (yet) for MS, you can do things to help change the course of the disease, treat flare-ups, manage symptoms, and improve your function and mobility.
Treatments will likely be based on age, overall current health, as well as past health, how sick you feel, how well you can handle certain medicines, and more. Treatments will likely include medicines, canes or walkers (to assist with mobility), and rehabilitation activities.
As with any disease, it’s important to see your doctor so you can begin managing your MS as soon as possible.
(Content: nationalmssociety.org, Image: vice.com)
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