Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the brain and spinal cord, affecting the protective cover (myelin sheath) of nerve cells. It is also known as encephalomyelitis disseminata or disseminated sclerosis. The damage alters the function of part of the nervous system resulting in a diversity of signs and symptoms including both physical and mental problems. The symptoms may either resolve completely or they may give rise to permanent neurological impairment. MS prevention is still yet to be fully defined since the causes of this chronic disease have not been clearly understood.
Environment and genes are the two most significant risk factors. Affected persons have been found to posses several genetic aberrations. Relatives of affected persons are at a very high risk of contracting the same. The closer the relationship one has with such a patient, the higher the risk. Identical twins have the highest risk in the event that one of them is affected. Next are fraternal twins and siblings in that order.
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.
There are four clinical courses that have been described to date. These include the relapsing remitting, the primary and secondary progressive and the progressive relapsing type. All these have specific features that distinguish them. For example, the relapsing remitting is intermittent in nature.
Whenever an attack occurs, the initial priority should be to restore the CNS function and to prevent subsequent attacks. Efforts to avoid permanent disability should also be made. A number of pharmacological agents have been found to be helpful in delaying the progression of disease. The leading agents are beta interferon and glatiramer. Prompt treatment of flu particularly in the months following delivery in women.
High temperatures have been found to be an exacerbating factor in these patients. They accelerate the deterioration of the nervous system especially for the components that have already been affected. It is recommended, therefore, that affected individuals use air conditioners whenever possible. They should avoid using hot tubs or hot swimming pools. As can be seen in all these situations, all MS prevention strategies revolve around avoidance of exacerbating factors.
Environment and genes are the two most significant risk factors. Affected persons have been found to posses several genetic aberrations. Relatives of affected persons are at a very high risk of contracting the same. The closer the relationship one has with such a patient, the higher the risk. Identical twins have the highest risk in the event that one of them is affected. Next are fraternal twins and siblings in that order.
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.
There are four clinical courses that have been described to date. These include the relapsing remitting, the primary and secondary progressive and the progressive relapsing type. All these have specific features that distinguish them. For example, the relapsing remitting is intermittent in nature.
Whenever an attack occurs, the initial priority should be to restore the CNS function and to prevent subsequent attacks. Efforts to avoid permanent disability should also be made. A number of pharmacological agents have been found to be helpful in delaying the progression of disease. The leading agents are beta interferon and glatiramer. Prompt treatment of flu particularly in the months following delivery in women.
High temperatures have been found to be an exacerbating factor in these patients. They accelerate the deterioration of the nervous system especially for the components that have already been affected. It is recommended, therefore, that affected individuals use air conditioners whenever possible. They should avoid using hot tubs or hot swimming pools. As can be seen in all these situations, all MS prevention strategies revolve around avoidance of exacerbating factors.
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