AGNOSCERE. An open house to global citizens

Post No. 22. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. (MS. National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

In multiple sclerosis (MS), damage to the myelin coating around the nerve fibers in the central nervous system (CNS) and to the nerve fibers themselves interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body. Disrupted nerve signals cause the symptoms of MS, which vary from one person to another and over time for any given individual, depending on where and when the damage occurs.

The diagnosis of MS requires evidence of at least two areas of damage in the CNS, which have occurred at different times.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease (any disease of the nervous system in which the myelin [fatty white substance that surrounds the axon {or nerve fiber, is a long, slender projection or a nerve cell, or neuron, that typically conducts electrical impulses known as action potentials, away from the nerve cell body. The function of the axon is to transmit information to different neurons, muscles and glands.}of some nerve cells, forming an electrically insulating layer. It is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system.] in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged.

This damage disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to communicate, resulting in a range of signs and symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems. Specific symptoms can include double vision, blindness in one eye, muscle weakness, trouble with sensation, or trouble with coordination. MS takes several forms, with new symptoms either occurring in isolated attacks (relapsing forms) or building up over time (progressive forms). Between attacks, symptoms may disappear completely, however, permanent neurological problems often remain, especially as the disease advances.

While the cause is not clear, the underlying mechanism is thought to be either destruction by the immune system or failure of the myelin-production cells. Proposed causes for this include genetics and environmental factors such as being triggered by a viral infection. MS is usually diagnosed based on the presenting signs and symptoms and the results of supporting medical tests.

There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis. Treatments attempt to improve function after an attach and prevent new attacks. Medications used to treat MS, while modestly effective, can have side effects and be poorly tolerated. Physical therapy can help with people’s ability to function. Many people pursue alternative treatments, despite a lack of evidence. The long- term outcome is difficult to predict, with good outcomes more often seen in women, those who develop the disease early in life, those with a relapsing course, and those who initially experienced few attacks. Life expectancy is on average 5 to 10 years lower than that of an unaffected population.

Multiple sclerosis is the most common immune-mediated disorder affecting the central nervous system. In 2015, about 2.3 million people were affected globally with rates varying widely in different regions and among different populations.

MS is more common in people who live farther from the equator, although exceptions exist. These exceptions include ethnic groups that are at low risk far from the euator such as the Samis, Amerindians, Canadian Hutterites, New Zealand Maori and Canada’s Inuit, as well as groups that have a relatively high risk close to the equator such as Sardinians, inland Sicilians, Palestinians and Parsi. The cause of this geographical pattern is not clear.

MS is more common in regions with northern European populations and the geographic variation may simply reflect the global distribution of these high-risk populations. Decreased sunlight exposure resulting in decreased vitamin D production has also been put forward an explanation. Environmental factors may play a role during childhood, with several studies finding that people who move to a different region of the world before the age of 15 acuire the new region’s risk to MS. If migration takes place over age 15, however, the person retains the risk of their home country.

MS was first described in 1868 by Jean-Martin Charcot. The name multiple sclerosis refers to the numerous scars (sclerae-better known as plaques or lesions) that develop on the white matter of the brain and spinal cord. A number of new treatments and diagnostic methods are under development.

As of 2017, rituximab ( sold under the brand name Rituxan among others, is a medication used to treat certain autoimmune diseases and type so cancer. It is given by slow injection into a vein) has been widely used off-label to treat progressive primary MS. In March 2017 the FDA approved ocrelizumab(is a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. It is marketed by Hoffman-LaRoche’s subsidiary Genentech under the trade name Ocrevus), as a treatment for primary progressive MS, the first drug to gain that approval, with requirements for several Phase IV clinic trials.

Over 50% of people with MS may use complementary and alternative medicine, although percentages vary depending on how alternative medicine is defines. Treatments of unproven benefit used by people with MS include dietary supplementation and regimens, vitamin D, relaxation techniques such as yoga, herbal medicine (including medical cannabis), hyperbaric oxygen therapy, self-infection with hookworms, reflexology, acupuncture, and mindfulness.

There are several historical account of people who probably had MS and lived before or shortly after the disease was described by Charcot. Saint Lidwina of Schiedam (1380-1433), a Dutch nun, may be one of the first clearly identifiable people with MS. From the age of 16 until her death at 53, she had intermittent pain, weakness of the legs, and vision loss-symptoms typical of MS. August Frederick d’Este (1794-1848), son of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex and Lady Augusta Murray, and the grandson of George III of the United Kingdom, almost certainly had MS. He left a detailed diary describing his 22 years living with the disease. His diary began in 1822 and ended in 1846, although it remained unknown until 1948. Another early account of MS was kept by the British diarist W.N. P. Barbellion, nom-de-plume of Bruce Frederick Cummings (1889-1919), who maintained a detailed log of his diagnosis and struggle. His diary was published in 1919 as “The Journal of a Disappointed Man.” (Wikipedia)

References

Multiple Sclerosis Documentary. Time: 40:02:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-arri51OFjU

Multiple Sclerosis: Signs, Symptoms and Treatments. Time: 57:44:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sy2ayANRPs

How I Reversed Multiple Sclerosis – Palmer Kippola (Dec 2016). Time: 30:28:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqjzXuupAas

Solutions for Multiple Sclerosis. Time: 52:34:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHNJ49xBEjM

How to Recover from MS Naturally. Free training. Time: 1:59:18:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6lNwKMvWTc

How I Reversed Multiple Sclerosis I Palmer Kippola. Time: 29:06: