Multiple sclerosis (also known as MS) is a complex condition. Its complexity is mainly dictated by the fact how different it may be for each affected individual. The sets of symptoms for this disease are rather diverse. That way, some of the patients with multiple sclerosis do not need any special medical treatment and can function normally, whereas the other suffer from different problems related to the effect the disease has on an individual’s eyes, spine, and brain.
Cellular, Organ, and Systemic Levels
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease during which the immune system of a human body starts to attack its lipid tissue that covers the nerves and is called myelin (Mayo Clinic, 2015; Multiple Sclerosis Health Center, 2015). The layer of myelin carries a protective function; that is why when it is destroyed the nerves may be affected. Myelin secures the nerve axons and dendrites enabling fast and easy movement of the nerve impulses. Multiple sclerosis is a pathology that forces the T-cells of the immune system to generate cytokines that eventually damage myelin layer (5 Ways Multiple Sclerosis Affects Us at a Cellular Level, 2014). As the nerve fibers become exposed, they start to be vulnerable to various negative impacts; as a result, scar tissue may appear on them. The scar tissue blocks the movement of the nerve impulses and leads to the failure of communication between the brain and the rest of the body (Mayo Clinic, 2015; Multiple Sclerosis Health Center, 2015).
On the organ and systemic levels, the brain’s signals do not reach their correct destinations; this creates a list of complications for the whole body. First of all, the motor system stops working properly. As a result, the affected individuals may face problems with walking and moving around. Secondly, the affected optic nerve creates problems with eye sight such as blurriness of the viewed objects or doubled vision. Thirdly, an affected individual may start to experience difficulties controlling their bowel and bladder discharge (Multiple Sclerosis Health Center, 2015).
In addition, the other outcomes of multiple sclerosis are sexual dysfunction, painful, tingling, or numb sensations, difficulty focusing on tasks and memorizing information, depression, exhaustion, muscular weakness and spasms (Multiple Sclerosis Health Center, 2015).
Homeostasis
The human immune system is based on two types of white blood cells with different functions. They are called macrophage and T-cells. The latter are divided into suppressors, helpers, cytotoxic cells (5 Ways Multiple Sclerosis Affects Us at a Cellular Level, 2014). The helper cells have molecule detectors giving them the capacity to detect potential threats in the form of the foreign bodies. In case if an antigen is located, the T-cells start attacking it. The cells are stopped from attacking by the suppressor cells (5 Ways Multiple Sclerosis Affects Us at a Cellular Level, 2014). The cells also have a self-regulating function. For example, when there is a threat the T-cells need to fight, the helper cells start to generate cytokines. This is done to create more T-cells to continue attacking the antigens.
Pathogenesis
Multiple sclerosis causes the T-cells to react to myelin perceiving it as a threat and thus attacking and destroying it at the same time generating new cytokines (Cohen & Rudick, 2007). The additional cytokines tend to penetrate to blood vessels that serve as the blood barrier. As the barrier is breached, the cells called macrophage, they generate the antibodies that destroy oligodendrocytes creating lesions in the white matter of the brain (Multiple Sclerosis Health Center, 2015). Due to the destructive impact of the cytokines, the nerve axons may become completely destroyed. The contemporary medicine does not have a way to repair them, and as a result, this may lead to the irreversible changes and permanent symptoms (5 Ways Multiple Sclerosis Affects Us at a Cellular Level, 2014; Mayo Clinic, 2015).
Currently, the scientists do not have a clear answer as to the causes of the pathologies occurring in multiple sclerosis patients. At the same time, the doctors can name the factors that contribute to the development of the disease or slow it down. First of all, the specialists agree that multiple sclerosis may be genetically inherited, so only people with certain gene combinations are likely to develop this condition (Multiple Sclerosis Health Center, 2015). Another strong factor that increases the risk of getting multiple sclerosis is regular smoking. Besides, the scientists attempt to connect the disease with viruses. For example, human herpesvirus 6 or Epstein-Barr virus are viewed as some of the contributing influences as well since they make the immune system of an affected individual stop functioning normally (Multiple Sclerosis Health Center, 2015). At the same time, there are researches directed at the role of vitamin D in the relapse of multiple sclerosis as some of the patient with this disease who moved to the areas with a sunnier climate seemed to feel better (Multiple Sclerosis Health Center, 2015).
To date, the medicine does not know a cure for multiple sclerosis; yet, some individuals’ symptoms may be treated and alleviated to a certain extent with the help of medications and physical therapy (Mayo Clinic, 2015). Besides, many multiple sclerosis patients tend to have the symptoms of cyclical nature, which means that they have periods when their condition suddenly gets worse followed by the times when they enter remissions and their diseases stop developing or showing any new signs (Mayo Clinic, 2015). While the primary symptoms include all the direct outcomes of the brain’s inability to send signals to the other parts of the body due to the scar tissue on the nerves and the destruction of axons. The secondary symptoms appear as a result of the primary symptoms. For example, the problems with bladder and bowel control may lead to infections and intoxications. Finally, tertiary symptoms of multiple sclerosis include the effect this condition tends to have in various spheres of life of an individual. For example, difficulties with memory, concentration, and focus may cause problems at the workplace, and sexual dysfunction may negatively impact one’s personal relationships.
Generally, there are three types of multiple sclerosis according to the course of its development during an individual’s lifetime. The most common kind of this condition is called a relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. It is characterized by the interchanging periods of remission and worsening of the symptoms. Approximately 80 % of all the MS patients are diagnosed with this kind of the condition (NHS, n. d.). The second type is called secondary progressive and tends to occur in the patients with the first type of MS over time making their symptoms gradually become more severe and seldom remit. The rarest type is primary progressive MS that does not have relapse stages at all (NHS, n. d.).
Conclusion
To sum up, multiple sclerosis it a pathology of the immune system that causes the blood cells called T-cells attack the layer of myelin that protects the nerves and create lesions and scar tissue on them complicating the transmission of the brain impulses and causing the failure of communication between various organs of the human body.
Reference List
Cohen, J. A. & Rudick, R. A. (2007). Multiple Sclerosis Therapeutics (3rd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Mayo Clinic. (2015). Multiple Sclerosis. Web.
Multiple Sclerosis Health Center. (2015). What Is Multiple Sclerosis?Web.
NHS, (n. d.). Multiple Sclerosis. Web.
5 Ways Multiple Sclerosis Affects Us at a Cellular Level. (2014). Web.