Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month takes place each March. The awareness color that represents Multiple Sclerosis is orange. Some organizations use the color combination of orange and yellow, however, orange is the predominant awareness color. Wear an orange enamel awareness ribbon pin, orange fabric ribbon, or orange silicone awareness bracelet wristband to call attention to this important awareness month.

Often misunderstood, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects nearly 1 million Americans. According to the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, that number is on the rise. More men and women across the globe are being diagnosed with MS than ever before. During March, take advantage of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month to learn the basics about MS.

MS is the neurological disease with the highest level of disability in young people. There have been many changes over the past 10 years. We now have a much wider range of treatment options.

The Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

MS affects the body’s nervous system. Specifically, it damages the insulation surrounding nerve fibers. Known as myelin, this insulation ensures strong, steady signals pass from the brain to different body parts. Damage to myelin impacts the brain, spinal cord or optic nerves, causing a variety of troubling symptoms.

Such symptoms include:

• Balance issues or atypical clumsiness.
• Blurred or double vision or vision loss that comes on quickly.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Dizzy spells that come occasionally or regularly.
• Fatigue (mental or physical).
• Hand or leg weakness.
• Loss of bladder control.
• Memory, judgment or learning problems.
• Muscle spasms and stiffness.

Types of MS – Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month Information

The three most common types of MS are:

• Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS). According to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, up to 85% of MS cases either are or begin as RRMS. An MS relapse occurs when a person experiences new or worsening symptoms. With RRMS, the symptoms last a few days or a few months. Afterward, a person can go months or years without symptoms.
• Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS). This happens when RRMS progresses. Instead of sporadic flare-ups, SPMS causes slowly worsening MS. Thanks to new medications, more people can keep RRMS from progressing to SPMS.
• Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS). Unlike SPMS, PPMS isn’t the result of a slow progression of disease. Rather, PPMS skips past RRMS and causes a steady worsening of symptoms from the very start.

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis

Currently, it’s unclear what causes MS. Genetics do play a role in the condition. But, that’s not the only factor that determines whether a person will get MS. MS is a complex disease involving both genetics and environment. Genetics are important, but also the environment is critical to whether a person gets MS or doesn’t. Environmental factors include more than where a person lives. They also cover lifestyle choices.

Environmental risk factors for MS include:

• Childhood obesity (especially for females).
• Living far from the Earth’s equator.
• Not getting enough vitamin D (possibly linked to living farther from the equator).
• Smoking.

Another cause of MS may be a person’s own body. Many consider MS an autoimmune disease. With autoimmune diseases, the immune system, instead of fighting off real threats, attacks healthy organs and tissue. In MS, the immune system attacks the brain or spinal cord. It can also go after the optic nerves, which are the nerves that help a person see.

The Four Pillars of MS Care – Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

Currently, a growing number of treatments are available to treat MS. However, none of them repairs MS-related nerve damage. Instead, they reduce the risk of future damage. MS symptoms mimic many other conditions, and there’s no MS test. When a provider suspects MS, a multidisciplinary team works to rule out other potential diseases. Doing this requires a comprehensive medical history, MRI, spinal tap, blood tests and other tests.

Once diagnosed, slowing the progression of the disease requires relying on four pillars.

These are:

• Good Nutrition
• Exercise
• Mental well-being
• Medication