Multiple Sclerosis Essay

Multiple Sclerosis is often known as the “great crippler of young adults.” It causes various forms of sensory and motor skill problems as the disease progresses. MS affects a wide variety of people in any age group. MS is a long-term condition. Relapses are common and can last for up to 24 hours and several factors have been identified. There is no known cause for Multiple Sclerosis, but that does not stop scientist from trying to figure one out.
Multiple Sclerosis is a “chronic inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system” (Susan B. O’Sullivan, Physical Rehabilitation, p. 776). Multiple Sclerosis is a “disease where your body attacks itself, specifically the fatty coating called the myelin sheath on nerves in the brain, spinal cord, and eye area” (2016 EMD Serono,
Inc, MS Life Lines). Multiple Sclerosis was identified by Dr. Jean Cruveilhier. He called it the “islands of sclerosis” due to the discovery of hardened tissue in the brain during an autopsy. Dr. Jean Charcot used autopsy studies to identify “areas of hardened plaques and called the disease sclerosis in plaques.” (Susan B.
O’Sullivan, Physical Rehabilitation, p. 776). The onset of Multiple Sclerosis affects a wide variety of people. It can affect people as young as fifteen and as old as fifty years of age. According to the book Physical Rehabilitation on page 776, Multiple Sclerosis “affects approximately 400,000 people is the United States. The disease is more common in women than in men by a ratio of 2:1” (Susan B. O’Sullivan, Physical Rehabilitation, p. 776). Multiple Sclerosis mainly affects white populations and African Americans. There is no known cause for Multiple Sclerosis but there have been a few theories. Some scientist think that Multiple Sclerosis “may be triggered by an infection- probably a virus. It is thought that this trigger may activate the production of T cells, which are a type of white blood cell. Once activated, the T cells start to multiply and cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to the brain and spinal cord. The T cells are thought to then begin a process that attacks and damages nerve cells in the central nervous system” (2016 EMD Serono, Inc, MS
Life Lines). Some diseases that may cause Multiple Sclerosis are, herpes, and chlamydial pneumonia. Genetics also seems to play a role in the cause of Multiple Sclerosis. Approximately 15 percent of patients have a positive family history. Some symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis include, visual disturbances, muscle weakness, trouble with coordination and balance, thinking and memory problems, and sensations such as numbness or prickling (Medline Plus).
There are for different types of Multiple Sclerosis. The first type is Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. With this type of Multiple Sclerosis, approximately 85% of people diagnosed have this type. “In RRMS, people have clearly defined periods that alternate between remission and relapse. A relapse is also called an exacerbation, an attack, or a flare-up. These relapses are followed by a long or short period of remission when symptoms partially or completely go away” (2016 EMD Serono, Inc, MS Life Lines). The second type is called Secondary-Primary Multiple Sclerosis. Some people may develop this type of MS from relapsing Multiple Sclerosis. This worsens symptoms and disability. The third type is called Primary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. This type is generally slow but steady as it worsens. The fourth type is called Progressive-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis. This type is also characterized by a steady worsening of the disease. People usually experience acute periods of relapse. Patients may or may not recover from these relapses.