Multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis in Nagpur: Chronic Disease that Causes Attack on Brain and Spinal Cord., People living with MS, in this case, suffer from their immune system attacking protective coating surrounding nerve fibers, which tampers with communication between the brain and the body. This can cause permanent damage to nerves or gradually deteriorate in time.
MS Symptoms: The symptoms of MS vary with the extent and location of nervous system damage.
What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in nagpur?
Initial Symptoms of MS:
- Blurr or double vision
- Distortion of red-green color perception
- Optic neuritis can be defined as a condition where the optic nerve has been inflamed, which leads to loss of vision or pain.
- Difficulty in walking and thereby impairing balance.
- Numbness, tingling, or an electric shock-like sensation on the skin, known as paresthesia
Other common symptoms of multiple sclerosis:
- Weakness of the muscles in the limbs
- Broken coordination can make walking or standing dangerous and can result in partial or complete immobility
- Spasticity, where stiffening and spasm is seen in muscles due to spasms
- Fatigue that is exacerbated by exercise, but some people tend to get better when rested; others could be experiencing chronic exhaustion
- Loss of senses
- Speech disorder
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Loss of hearing
- Disorder in controlling bowel and bladder
- Depression
- Disorder in sexual function
Types of Multiple Sclerosis:
- Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS):
The most common form (about 85% of a MS cases).
Characterized by episodes of new or worsening symptoms (relapses) followed by periods of partial or complete recovery (remission).
There may be no disease progression during remissions. - Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS):
Follows RRMS in some people.
Over time, relapses become less frequent, but the disease progressively worsens with more lasting symptoms and disability. - Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS):
About 10-15% of people with MS have this form.
Characterized by a steady progression of symptoms from the onset, with no distinct relapses or remissions.
Disability accumulates over time, though the rate of progression may vary. - Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS):
The rarest form.
Steady worsening of a disease from the onset with occasional relapses, but no periods of the remission.
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis:
MS symptoms vary widely depending on the location and extent of the damage in the CNS. Common symptoms include:
- Fatigue: One of the most common or disabling symptoms.
- Numbness or Tingling: Typically in the face, arms, legs, or fingers.
- Muscle Weakness and Spasms: Can lead to difficulty walking or maintaining balance.
- Vision Problems: Blurred or double vision, loss of vision in one eye, or pain during eye movement (optic neuritis).
- Cognitive Changes: Difficulty with concentration, memory, and decision-making.
- Dizziness and Vertigo: A sensation of spinning or loss of balance.
- Pain: Both acute and chronic pain are common, including nerve pain.
- Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction: Frequent urination, urgency, incontinence, or constipation.
- Sexual Dysfunction: Loss of sexual desire or function.
- Emotional Changes: Mood swings, depression, or anxiety.
Causes and Risk Factors:
The exact cause of MS is unknown, but several factors are thought to contribute to its development:
- Genetics: People with a family history of MS have a higher risk, although no single gene causes the disease.
- Autoimmune Factors: The immune system attacks its own tissues, particularly the myelin in the CNS.
- Environmental Factors: Certain factors, like low vitamin D levels and smoking, may increase the risk.
- Infections: Some research suggests that viral infections, particularly the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), may trigger MS in genetically susceptible individuals.
- Geography: MS is more common in people living farther from the equator, possibly due to lower levels of sunlight and vitamin D.
Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis:
There is no single test for MS, so diagnosis is based on a combination of medical history, neurological exams, and diagnostic tests:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): The primary tool used to detect lesions or plaques in the brain and spinal cord.
- Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): Tests cerebrospinal fluid for abnormal levels of immune cells or proteins, which can indicate MS.
- Evoked Potential Tests: Measures the electrical activity of the brain in response to stimuli to detect slowed nerve responses.
- Blood Tests: While there is no specific blood test for MS, blood tests help rule out other conditions that mimic MS, such as lupus or vitamin B12 deficiency.
Treatment Options:
MS has no cure, but treatments can manage symptoms, reduce the frequency of relapses, and slow disease progression. Treatment approaches include:
1. Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs):
- These medications aim to reduce the frequency of relapses and slow the progression of MS by modulating or suppressing the immune system.
- Injectable DMTs: Interferon beta (Avonex, Rebif), Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone).
- Oral DMTs: Fingolimod (Gilenya), Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera), Teriflunomide (Aubagio).
- Infusion DMTs: Natalizumab (Tysabri), Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada).
2. Corticosteroids:
- Used to reduce inflammation and treat acute MS relapses or flare-ups.
- Commonly used drugs include methylprednisolone and prednisone.
3. Plasma Exchange (Plasmapheresis):
- For severe relapses that do not respond to corticosteroids, plasma exchange may be used to filter out damaging antibodies from the blood.
4. Symptom Management:
- Muscle Relaxants: Baclofen or tizanidine to manage muscle stiffness or spasms.
- Pain Management: Gabapentin or pregabalin for nerve pain.
- Fatigue Management: Modafinil or amantadine for fatigue.
- Bladder Dysfunction: Anticholinergic medications to help with urinary issues.
5. Physical and Occupational Therapy:
- Helps manage mobility and balance issues, maintain strength, and develop strategies for daily tasks.
How is multiple sclerosis treat?
MS treatment is done according to the type of symptoms being seen, the age of the patient, as well as the general health condition and the severity of the condition. There are various methods of treating MS. These are:
- Disease-Modifying Treatments: Therefore, This is the type of therapies that work on the central nervous system inflammation, thus slowing the progression of the illness.
- Management of Acute Attacks: At one time, Steroids and plasma exchange (PLEX) were considered viable options to speed up recovery in cases of an MS attack.
There is no cure for MS; however, a variety of interventions can treat the disease course, alleviate symptoms, and promote mobility and function.
Supportive treatments for conditions associated with MS may include:
- Medications
(consult with your doctor to determine which of these may be appropriate for you) - Canes, braces, walkers, and other assistive devices
- Rehabilitation programs
Restorative rehabilitation for MS encompasses several goals that are relevant to the level of severity of symptoms and individuality of needs:
- Restoration of functions that are necessary to the practice of self-care
- Improvement in maximizing independence.
- Family involvement in treatment planning
- Informing in the use of assistive aids for mobilization
- Design of an appropriate exercise regimen to enhance muscle strength, endurance, and coordination
- Enhancing motor skills
- Speech ability may be enhanced if there is weakness of facial and tongue muscles with coordination disorder
- Controlling bowel or bladder control disturbance
- Reaching cognitive capabilities
- Alteration of home environment to become safer for increased mobility.
They will all attack the need to have people with MS live as fully and independently as possible.
At our Neurosys Multispeciality Center, we perform several key procedures including Craniotomy, which is primarily for the excision of brain tumors; V-P Shunt Surgery for treating hydrocephalus; surgeries for epilepsy; and operations targeting brain stem glioma. Beyond these, we offer a range of other neurosurgical services. If you have any questions that are not answere, please contact us through our Contact Us or Book your Appointment.