Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a very serious autoimmune neurological disease in which the immune system attacks and damages the myelin sheath of axons, causing very poor nerve conduction. This disease can be chronic and very debilitating. The exact reason why the immune system attacks the myelin sheath is currently unknown. Multiple Sclerosis is complex and involves multiple levels of pathology -- involving the immune system and the nervous system. Because of MS, myelin sheaths in axons of neurons in the CNS (central nervous system; e.g., the brain and spinal cord) weaken, tear, or deteriorate -- this is called axonal demyelination. The damage within the central nervous system can also be caused by the inflammation and breach of the blood-brain barrier. Multiple sclerosis affects the white matter of the brain and spinal cord.The exact cause and cure for multiple sclerosis is not currently known -- even though much the physiological mechanisms are known. The disorder was coined by Jean-Martin Charcot in 1868. He named the disorder 'multiple sclerosis' because of the lesions in white matter. There are theories concerning the genetics, environmental risks, and infections, but the most prominent modern theory is that MS is caused by immune system abnormality.
This short clip introduces the autoimmune theory:
Some devastating symptoms include:
- Loss of sensitivity
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Poor motor coordination or balance (dizziness or vertigo)
- Difficulty swallowing or talking (slurred speech)
- Visual problems (loss of vision)
- Chronic pain or fatigue
I have a friend with MS and know that I have read your blog it makes it easier to understand her disease. It's scary how your own body could turn against you destroying the myelin that helps the axon. Thanks for your good blog post.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't imagine what it would be like to suffer from that kind of disease. As Ignacio mentioned it's scary to think that our body can be affected that way just by when somehow a myelin becomes infected and gets through the blood-barrier. Interesting blog post.
ReplyDeleteUsually our body helps us to combat a disease, but in this case it seems to do the complete opposite and harm us. It is sad to hear that there is no cure for multiple sclerosis. Living with MS must be difficult because of the symptoms that an individual endures.
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