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Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (abbreviated MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata) is an inflammatory disease that affects the ability of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to communicate with each other. There is no known cure for MS. In this category you'll find information about MS symptoms, treatment and more.
431 Questions
Will Multiple Sclerosis kill eventually?
I asked this question to a leading MS specialist and scientist and he said "why are you concerned about what MS might have done to you in the far distant future when there will be a cure in 10 years time anyway. So no it really doesn't.
Does Montel Williams have multiple sclerosis?
Yes, Montel Williams does have multiple sclerosis (MS). Williams was diagnosed with MS in 1999.
Water Exercise
What could demyelination be if it's not multiple sclerosis?
idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Central pontine myelinolysis
Tabes Dorsalis
transverse myelitis
Devic's disease
progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Optic neuritis
Leukodystrophies
A demyelinating disease is any disease of the nervous system in which the myelin sheath of neurons is damaged.
Demyelinating describes the effect of the disease, rather than its cause; some demyelinating diseases are caused by genetics, some by infectious agents, some by autoimmune reactions, and some by unknown factors.
Can Trigeminal Nerve Pain and TMJ be related to multiple sclerosis?
Trigeminal neuralgia is more common in people with MS.
Where can one look up information on Multiple Sclerosis symptoms?
A favorite site for information on medical issues, including the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, is the Mayo Clinic website. WebMD is also a good choice.
There are some benefits, like those self-mentioned in the question, of living in the equator, but there are also downsides. At the equator it is very hot all year, and the risk of getting various skin cancers increases tremendously. If you live near the equator, be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen when you go out, however, go out with no sunscreen on for about 10 minutes a day to get some of that much-needed vitamin D. No matter where you live, this rule of thumb can apply to you. Therefore, the answer is, balance the benefits and risks of living near the equator, and choose accordingly.
A picture of Multiple Sclerosis?
This is a fantastic question, or posed in another way, "what does a person with MS look like"?
This question highlights a key point of frustration for the person who has MS: the dichotomy between how good the person looks on the outside compared to how bad the person feels on the inside.
Multiple sclerosis affects the central nervous system, causing many different symptoms like cognitive dysfunction, bowel/bladder problems, balance and coordination problems, speech and swallowing problems, etc. But it does not cause any other outward signs of the disease. You might be able to spot someone who has MS because they may, on occasion, need to walk with a cane or walker, or some persons may need a wheelchair or electric scooter. Beyond that, however, you would never know an individual had MS unless they told you.
Clinically, you might look at a picture of an area of demyelination to see a "picture" of MS (see the Related Link below), but beyond that, there is no real "picture" of MS that you can see.
Is multiple sclerosis caused by spirochetes?
No. It is an autoimmune disease. The body's defenses are attacking the body instead of what is considered to be foreign. A variety of viruses have been linked to MS, including Epstein-Barr, the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis but the link is not been proven. A spirochete is not a virus but a type of bacteria.
How should patients be prepared for a hyperbaric chamber?
No special preparation is needed to use a hyperbaric chamber other than educating patients about what to expect during treatment.
Do only women get multiple sclerosis?
It is estimated that women get MS approximately twice as often as men. However, men are in no way immune to the disease. Though no one is sure why women are more likely to be afflicted, there are studies ongoing to determine the possible link to the genetic differences inherent in males and females.
Studies suggest that women with MS often have a variation of a gene that produces high levels of interferon gamma, a protein in the body which can promote inflammation and tissue damage. This is but one study looking into the impact of gender and is not conclusive.
Famous men with MS include Montell Williams, Clay Walker (country singer), Richard Cohen (Author and husband of Meredith Veira) and NeilCavuto (cable news anchor).
Are Multiple Sclerosis and Erectile Dysfunction related?
Yes, unfortunately this is definitely a possibility. To learn more about this topic, check out Boston Medical Group's site in the "Related Links" section below
What can you do as a teenager if you have multiple Sclerosis in genes?
If you are a teenager and have Multiple Sclerosis in your genes you can read books to enjoyment.
Not conclusively. MRI findings alone are not sufficient to give a definitive diagnosis of MS. Neurological illness should occur twice, in conjunction with two MRIs showing disease processes and careful neurological work ups. I had one instance where I had 5 or 6 little white spots on an MRI, after no diagnoses being conferred I was discharged from my neurologists care. Just a few days ago it started happening again, so maybe I do have MS...
Does multiple sclerosis cause strokes?
None of my research or reading since being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2001 indicates any connection between the MS and Strokes. MS does not cause strokes. The damage that is incurred in a person with MS is related to the Central Nervous System and damage that is done to the nerve pathways by the body's immune system attacking the insulation (myelin) covering the nerve, thus inhibiting the relay of messages down the that particular nerve pathway. The amount of the damage MS causes is dependent upon where in the brain the nerve insulation is damaged. Different body functions (vision, movement of limbs, speech, and so much more) are controlled by different nerves in different areas of the brain. Thus, bodily functions controlled by the damaged areas of the brain are the ones affected.
MS does not affect the vascular system, unless it is in an indirect way. Strokes are caused primarily by blood clots in the arteries and the blood vessels in the brain. When the blood clots, there is no blood flowing past that spot and that means oxygen is not getting carried to the "heart" of the brain where it is needed to carry out normal brain function. The amount of the damage the stroke causes is dependent upon where in the brain the blood clot occurred and the bodily functions that area of the brain controls.
Symptoms of MS and Strokes such as impaired vision, speech, mobility and cognition among many others may be similar. But, the causative factor is very different.
There is a new hypothesis which directly connects vascular abnormalities with "MS" symptoms, which by the way are exact duplicates of cerebrovascular disease. Check out CCSVI. You'll find the only explanation that makes any sense to me [ iIhave MS for 11 years]Do the reading yourself and make up your own mind. This isn't bee sting therapy or snake venom therapy. Treatment has proven that a majority of MSers have venous abnormalities [ the plaque in MS runs along venous pathways!] My first symptom was heightened sensitivity in both legs..accompanied by a blood pressure of 200/110...now that's stroke material. NO ONE correlated the stroke with the neuro symptoms. Just threw that put the window..ths "attack" came a few months after I had my varicose VEINS stripped in both legs. The paradigm may be shifting....
How does multiple sclerosis cause pyelonephritis?
Urinary retention can predispose someone with MS to urinary tract infection, including pyelonephritis.
How do you differentiate between benign fasciculation syndrome and the symptoms of MS?
Benign fascilation syndrome causes twitching but no actual nerve damage as MS does or other neurological diseases. BFS is usually diagnosed after other conditions such as MS are ruled out by tests and physical exams/symptoms since there is not a single test to diagnose this condition.
however, it is hard to diagnose because they're very similar
they have to test the nerves
What medications are used to treat primary lateral sclerosis?
The treatment aims to reduce the discomfort and inconvenience of the disease. There is currently no cure for PLS. Medications such as baclofen, diazepam , and gabapentin have shown effectiveness in reducing muscle spasms in many patients with PLS.
What are Multiple Sclerosis symptoms wax and wane?
When Multiple Sclerosis symptoms "wax and wane," we call it "relapsing and remitting." This is the most common form of Multiple Sclerosis: RRMS, or Relapsing Remitting MS. RRMS is identified by distinct periods of disease activity (relapses) followed by longer periods of disease inactivity (remission)
The other forms of Multiple Sclerosis are:
- Primary Progressive MS: This form of the disease is categorized by a distinct lack of relapses and/or remissions. It shows a continual, slow wordening of disease activity. Approximately 10% of MS patients are initially diagnosed as PPMS.
- Progressive Relapsing MS: This relatively rare form of MS is categorized by distinct relapses but no real remissions, and with each relapse, the disease progresses. Only about 5% of MS patients will develop PRMS
- Secondary Progressive MS: This form of the disease is what can come of Relapsing Remitting MS. Untreated, RRMS will normally develop into SPMS in ten years. This form is identical to Primary Progressive MS, except that it is a follow-on condition to RRMS. Although long-term data is not yet available, disease-modifying therapies available today are thought to delay the onset of SPMS
As mentioned earlier, RRMS is the most common form of MS, with approximately 85% of MS patients initially diagnosed in this category.
Is multiple sclerosis considered as a communicable disease?
No, multiple sclerosis (MS) is not considered a communicable disease. It is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerves in the central nervous system. MS is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but it cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Can brain zaps be associated with multiple sclerosis?
Yes, brain zaps can be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), although they are not a classic symptom of the condition. These sensations may occur due to nerve damage or demyelination that affects how signals are transmitted in the brain. Patients with MS might describe brain zaps as sudden, brief electrical sensations or jolts. It's important for individuals experiencing such symptoms to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and management.
