Multiple Sclerosis is a debilitating disease that the public needs to be more familiar with. The main reason for choosing this topic is the availability of the sources and the desire to acquire more knowledge of this condition. Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological disorder that has no certain cause, unlike heart disease that can be caused by poor diet and exercise. Being acquainted with such a rare person that is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, this mysterious disease provides a lot of information that would otherwise be unknown. Having a friend diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, the need to know more on this subject is necessary to help her be better accommodated at home or work.
Multiple Sclerosis is known as the most common autoimmune disease involving the central nervous system. This disease affects approximately 250,000 individuals in the United States. Most people diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis are between the ages of twenty and forty, but scientific studies have found there are far more cases of women having MS than men. Although one may be diagnosed with MS at a young age, the mental and physical effects may be lifelong. The symptoms and severity of MS can not be predicted from one person to another. Different factors contribute to the severity of MS. The environment, the person’s immune system, and if the patient was exposed to viral infection are all examples of contributed factors. Some symptoms include paralysis, memory loss, migraine, and headaches.
Multiple Sclerosis is not gender-specific (more common in women) and is a pestilence disease. However, Multiple Sclerosis does have a preference when it comes to ethnic backgrounds, genetics, climate, and latitude location. The backgrounds and races are an interesting twist to this disease. According to “Multiple Sclerosis (MS)–What Increases Your Risk:” WebMD, People of Western European ancestry are more likely to develop MS. It is uncommon in Native Americans (American Indians), Eskimos, and Africans” (Lublin, 67-70). Multiple Sclerosis is thought to be a genetic disease, but that fact is not yet proven; however, it is hard to figure out why ethnic backgrounds make a difference in the chance of acquiring Multiple Sclerosis.
Immunoglobulin genes have been found to influence MS. Two unlinked genetic loci were related to immune response: Gm and HLA. Evidence was also presented when experimenting with T-cell receptors. Another MS susceptibility gene lies near or within the T-cell receptor beta-chain locus. Further evidence was based on the patterns of linkage disequilibrium. Multiple Sclerosis was found not to be hereditary, but the genes of a person (sibling or child) help determine whether they are at an increased risk for the development of the disease. Although it has been found that MS is not directly inherited, however, it does involve genetic susceptibility.
Within the past twenty years, scientists have developed a set of tools that can pinpoint the genetic factors of Multiple Sclerosis. Scientists now believe that a person is only susceptible to MS only if he or she inherits an unlucky combination of alterations in several genes.
Until the early 1900s, physicians relied on superstitions and knowledge of the ancients when it came to Multiple Sclerosis. Doctors did not understand what they observed and what was recorded, but with documentation from back in 1838, signs of MS were recognized from what we know of today. Once physicians started understanding what the disease was, MS was among one of the first diseases to be scientifically explained.
Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease that affects the brain of the patient, which then complicates everyday life by hampering body functions. Multiple Sclerosis primarily affects the myelin and myelin sheath, not the nerve cells. Marie T. O’Toole, EdD, RN, author of “Encyclopedia &Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, & Allied Health” states, “The course of MS is usually prolonged, with remissions and relapses over many years” (Lublin, 67-70). My friend has had three exacerbations, which is a relapse of symptoms, and they are never alike. When the myelin sheath deteriorates, the brain sends mixed signals, which cause the symptoms to occur in patients.
The first signs of Multiple Sclerosis are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. The most reliable way to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis is by the use of the MRI to detect changes in the brain or the forming of lesions. Some of the first symptoms include headache, chronic fatigue, dizziness, vision problems, numbness, and tingling sensations in limbs, and these symptoms can be misdiagnosed as several different diseases. Most of the symptoms are relatively small and would go unnoticed, but vision problems are one of the first informalities people notice.
There can be explanations used to avoid going to the doctor for those who dread doctor visits. A normal healthy person experiencing tingles in legs, weakness in muscles, dropping things, or electric shock sensations can be brushed off as either staying on one’s feet too long or just a coincidence. Being so hard to diagnose, Multiple Sclerosis could have less harsh symptoms diagnosed early, but it is still a mysterious disease; therefore, complicated to catch early. The different tests that are used for detecting Multiple Sclerosis are the MRI, spinal taps, CT scans, and evoked potential test. There are no blood tests that can be taken to help diagnose Multiple Sclerosis yet, but with the advancement of medical technology, there may soon be a way to detect Multiple Sclerosis with a blood test.
Additionally, there are several different courses of Multiple Sclerosis and each behaves another way. The four different courses of Multiple Sclerosis are Relapsing-remitting MS, Primary progressive MS, Secondary progressive MS, and Progressive relapsing MS. Relapsing-remitting MS has unpredictable exacerbations and they result in loss of some function that will not recover. Secondary progressive MS begins with relapsing-remitting but later changes into the progressive form. Progressive relapsing MS is a steady progression in disability along with acute attacks.
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that is like being diagnosed with cancer that will last for a full life and not allow a quick and humane death. According to Lynn Rossellini, multiple sclerosis is often a debilitating disease that pits the body’s immune system against the central nervous system. (Halper, 54)On the other hand, most people diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis will live out a somewhat normal life and most likely die due to a normal cause. Richard Robinson, the author of Multiple Sclerosis, states that it is difficult to predict how Multiple Sclerosis will progress in any one person. Not knowing what tomorrow will bring with this disease, many people that are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis are oftentimes diagnosed with depression.
Treatments for combating the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis vary from taking medicine to avoiding stress. “The recent experience with Tysabri, the breakthrough multiple sclerosis drug from Biogen Idec Inc. and Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc., shows the perils of tampering with the body’s defenses” (Sibley, 210-12). One of the most widely used drugs is Avonex, but it still allows for relapses. Avonex is the same drug as Interferon beta-1a, and yes it is also used for cancer treatment. As in many diseases, treating the symptoms with more than one drug is often more effective, Avonex along with Tysabri has been proven to cut the relapses in half.
According to Linda Bren, author of New Treatment, New Hope for Those With Multiple Sclerosis, “A major research focus on neuroprotection to stop the degeneration is underway” (Poser, 180-93). The future of Multiple Sclerosis treatment is uncertain, but there are drugs on the horizon that show promise. According to Montel Williams, author of Back from the Brink, has become a man with a mission. Refusing “to sit back and whine,” as he puts it, he is pushing drug companies to develop a cure and has created a foundation that funds MS research. (Halper, 75)
There are alternate ways to help treat Multiple Sclerosis that are not medications. The use of physical therapy and massage is used to relieve stress and make the patient more comfortable. By adjusting their diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and taking nutritional supplements, the patient may improve the quality of life and the longevity of life. “People with MS who ate foods high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were likely to live longer then those who ate more saturated fats” (Cobble, 119-22).
This study does not guarantee with a change in diet that the patient will live longer. There are no guarantees in life, additionally; people with multiple sclerosis have no guarantees either. More of the natural foods and fats found in nuts, vegetables, and fruits are healthier than more processed food. Dietary management can help lessen the symptoms, but in no form or fashion will it take away the symptoms of the disease or heal it.
Realizing how this disease affects my friend, the symptoms she may experience, and the long-term battles she faces, she can now rest assured that she has a friend that is willing to help after coming to a better understanding of this disease. When this topic was first chosen, ideas arose as to how this disease affected people, but then after doing research one realizes how debilitating and frustrating Multiple cases of sclerosis can be.
Moreover, Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that mainly affects the quality of life of the afflicted. Dr. Paul O’Conner, the author of Multiple Sclerosis, states, “Quality of Life includes physical function, absence of pain, general health, vitality, and social function, emotional and mental health. This is the hardest point of having a friend diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis face, it will not always be laughs and fun, and eventually, she will need some mobility help depending on the speed of the progression.
Multiple Sclerosis is a debilitating disease that affects more people than the general public realizes. By having a friend diagnosed with this disease, coming in contact with one of the thousand which is not so rare, but many times unknown, she has taught surrounding friends including me how fragile life is and to not take little things for granted. Like being able to remember a few lines from a book, being able to balance, and having the ability to see.
Multiple Sclerosis is a mysterious and misunderstood disease that spans the globe affecting hundreds of thousands of people, and many of which are misdiagnosed. This disease is somewhat deadly and could be compared to AIDS or cancer in the way it deteriorates the body functions. However, Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological disease that affects the brain; therefore, the rest of the body suffers repercussions.
Works Cited
Cobble, N., Burks, J., (2000). The team approach to the management of multiple sclerosis. In Burks, J., Maloney, F., & Ringel, S., (eds.). Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromuscular Disorders. Philadelphia: Lippincott. 119-22.
Halper, J., (2001), Advanced Concepts in Multiple Sclerosis Nursing Care, New York: Demos Medical Publishing: 54.
Halper, J. & Burks, J. (1994). Care patterns in multiple sclerosis. Neuro Rehabilitation, 4 (4), 67-75.
Lublin, F., Reingold, S. (2003). Defining the course of multiple sclerosis: Results of an international survey. Neurology. 67-70.
Poser, C.M. (1994), The epidemiology of multiple sclerosis: A general overview. Annals of Neurology, (36: 180-193).
Sibley, W. (2000). The diagnosis and course of multiple sclerosis. Neurobehavioral Aspects of Multiple Sclerosis. New York: Oxford University Press. 210-12.