Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory process that affects the components of the central nervous system namely the spinal cord and the brain. The condition preferentially affects the myelin sheath which is the protective covering of the spinal cord. Patients suffering from this condition will exhibit either psychological or physical symptoms or both. Fortunately, a number of patients will have a complete resolution of symptoms and will go back to normalcy. Others progress to chronic states. MS prevention should be aimed at stopping the onset of the symptoms.
The aetiological factors of this condition are a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. Certain genetic variations have been shown to increase the risk of MS. The risk is higher in relatives of the affected individual with probability increasing among those very closely related. Identical twins have the highest chance of being victims, followed by fraternal twins, siblings and step siblings in that order. Predisposition is ten times higher when both parents are victims.
Microbial infection has also been implicated as an aetiological factor in MS. Two hypotheses have been developed to back the theory; hygiene hypothesis and prevalence hypothesis. With hygiene, disease presents after a secondary exposure to a given agent with primary contact being protective. In the case of prevalence, the disease is as a result of a microbe more common in areas where MS is outstanding with no symptom manifestation. Certain viral infections have been associated with MS including herpes, Epstein Bar Virus, mumps and measles.
Certain lifestyle habits and situations have also been linked to MS. These include smoking, stress, vaccination, diet, hormone intake and occupational factors such as toxins. Though the clear role of uric acid as a protective factor is yet to be seen, it has been found out that gout occurs less commonly in people with MS.
The pathology of the condition is manifested in three main ways; inflammation, formation of lesions and damage to nerve tissue. This is what causes the abnormalities that are seen clinically. Reaction between the sheath of nerve tissue and antibodies produced in the blood is thought to be the cause of this.
Four main clinical courses exist. These are the progressive relapsing, the relapsing remitting, and the primary and secondary progressive. All have varying features and varying degrees of severity. The secondary progressive is the commonest and affects about 65% of individuals with the disease. The relapsing remitting is characterized by recurrence after treatment.
Generally, there is no way to prevent the attacks of MS. As such, the primary aim of therapy is to restore function after an attack, prevent new attacks and avoid disability. Interferon beta or glatiramer may delay disease progression in some cases of secondary progressive MS. Viral infections such as flu may trigger relapses, so are the first few months after delivery in women. Prompt treatment of such infections is recommended.
Elevated body temperature can worsen the symptoms of MS by causing the already affected nerves to function even more poorly. For this reason, air conditioners are recommended for affected persons. Victims should avoid hot swimming pools and hot bath tubs. In a nutshell, there is no known way of MS prevention other than minimizing the predisposing factors.
The aetiological factors of this condition are a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. Certain genetic variations have been shown to increase the risk of MS. The risk is higher in relatives of the affected individual with probability increasing among those very closely related. Identical twins have the highest chance of being victims, followed by fraternal twins, siblings and step siblings in that order. Predisposition is ten times higher when both parents are victims.
Microbial infection has also been implicated as an aetiological factor in MS. Two hypotheses have been developed to back the theory; hygiene hypothesis and prevalence hypothesis. With hygiene, disease presents after a secondary exposure to a given agent with primary contact being protective. In the case of prevalence, the disease is as a result of a microbe more common in areas where MS is outstanding with no symptom manifestation. Certain viral infections have been associated with MS including herpes, Epstein Bar Virus, mumps and measles.
Certain lifestyle habits and situations have also been linked to MS. These include smoking, stress, vaccination, diet, hormone intake and occupational factors such as toxins. Though the clear role of uric acid as a protective factor is yet to be seen, it has been found out that gout occurs less commonly in people with MS.
The pathology of the condition is manifested in three main ways; inflammation, formation of lesions and damage to nerve tissue. This is what causes the abnormalities that are seen clinically. Reaction between the sheath of nerve tissue and antibodies produced in the blood is thought to be the cause of this.
Four main clinical courses exist. These are the progressive relapsing, the relapsing remitting, and the primary and secondary progressive. All have varying features and varying degrees of severity. The secondary progressive is the commonest and affects about 65% of individuals with the disease. The relapsing remitting is characterized by recurrence after treatment.
Generally, there is no way to prevent the attacks of MS. As such, the primary aim of therapy is to restore function after an attack, prevent new attacks and avoid disability. Interferon beta or glatiramer may delay disease progression in some cases of secondary progressive MS. Viral infections such as flu may trigger relapses, so are the first few months after delivery in women. Prompt treatment of such infections is recommended.
Elevated body temperature can worsen the symptoms of MS by causing the already affected nerves to function even more poorly. For this reason, air conditioners are recommended for affected persons. Victims should avoid hot swimming pools and hot bath tubs. In a nutshell, there is no known way of MS prevention other than minimizing the predisposing factors.
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