Diseases Multiple Sclerosis

Due to the fact that multiple sclerosis is a complex disease that primarily causes impairments at the level of the central nervous system (CNS) that later spread in multiple regions of the body, the produced symptoms are various and can perceived at different intensities. In its first stages of progression, multiple sclerosis generates a wide variety of mild to moderate neurological symptoms. In more advanced phases of the disease, when other body systems also become affected, multiple sclerosis may cause many different physical manifestations.

The undesired effects of multiple sclerosis on the human body are often irreversible, rendering prompt medical intervention crucial for reducing the development of complications. Despite the fact that there is no specific cure for multiple sclerosis in present, the existing forms of treatment can successfully control the progression rate and the symptoms characteristic to this type of disease. Thus, patients are usually administered an appropriate treatment as soon as they are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are diversified and they can occur in many different body regions. Most patients have individualized symptoms of multiple sclerosis, manifestations that generally occur in episodes, or flares. The intensity, frequency and duration of multiple sclerosis symptoms are strongly influenced by the stage of progression and the specific subtype of the disease. The progression of multiple sclerosis is often unpredictable, alternating between phases of symptomatic remission and phases of relapse. The majority of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis experience recidivating symptoms that generally tend to amplify in the stages of relapse.

Common symptoms of multiple sclerosis comprise generalized fatigue, body weakness, sensations of tingling, burning, pain and numbness in the muscles, loss of dexterity and poorly coordinated body movement. Other common symptoms produced by multiple sclerosis are: vision problems, shaking of the limbs, spasms, convulsions, inability to maintain balance, dizziness, vertigo and confusion. In more advanced phases of disease, multiple sclerosis can also generate manifestations such as partial paralysis, renal and gastrointestinal problems.

Neuropsychological symptoms of multiple sclerosis generally occur in the incipient stages of disease, gradually amplifying over time. Such symptoms include inaccurate perceptions, decreased concentration, short-term memory loss (amnesia), reduced judgment and unexpected changes in behavior. A symptom that is commonly seen in patients with multiple sclerosis is depression. Persons with multiple sclerosis eventually become depressed and refuse any form of social interaction. Although depression and other similar neuropsychological symptoms are a common problem among patients with multiple sclerosis, medical scientists haven’t yet unveiled the exact origin of such manifestations.

While some groups of medical scientists believe that most neuropsychological symptoms are solely the result of impairments at the level of the central nervous system, others believe that they are a consequence of prolonged treatment. This second opinion is considered to be more accurate, as the psychological symptoms of patients with multiple sclerosis gradually ameliorate after the treatment is interrupted.

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory neurological disease that can generate a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms. Multiple sclerosis involves the deterioration of myelin, a substance that surrounds the body’s nervous cells. Myelin has a very important role in the transmission of nervous impulses, and if this substance is affected, the entire activity of the nervous system is seriously compromised. Although the actual causes of multiple sclerosis remain unknown, there are several hypotheses that present genetic abnormalities as the main factors responsible for causing the disease. Medical scientists believe that multiple sclerosis occurs on the background of inherited genetic predispositions, and environmental factors are suspected to be triggers of the disease. Some hypotheses also introduce viral infections in this scenario, although infections with viruses don’t seem to contribute to the development of the disease.

Multiple sclerosis can affect the body on different levels. The majority of people with multiple sclerosis suffer from dysfunctions of the muscular system, while others also develop neuropsychological dysfunctions. Multiple sclerosis usually generates a wide range of symptoms: body weakness, pronounced fatigue, muscle numbness, poorly coordinated moves, poor balance. People affected by multiple sclerosis can in time experience decreased visual acuity, mental states of confusion and even short-term memory loss. People with multiple sclerosis can also suffer from depression, which is common in more than 80 percent of patients with the disease.

Although there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, most medical treatments can alleviate the symptoms generated by the disease, also preventing their recurrence. However, the majority of medications prescribed in long-term multiple sclerosis treatments (beta interferon, corticosteroids) can generate many side-effects, causing additional damage to the body. Hence, it is best to avoid following long-term treatments with potentially-harmful drugs. In many cases, multiple sclerosis therapies can ameliorate physical symptoms just as well, without using any drugs. Considering the fact that most symptoms generated by the disease are linked to the musculoskeletal system, the majority of multiple sclerosis therapies are focused on improving muscular mobility and tonus through physical exercise. Multiple sclerosis therapy through exercise can help patients regain their strength, coordination and balance, alleviating muscular pain, numbness and stiffness.

The majority of multiple sclerosis therapies involve recuperative physical exercises and medical gymnastics. Other forms of multiple sclerosis therapies include recreational physical activities, such as swimming, jogging or the practice of different sports. Most people who have followed such multiple sclerosis therapies have experienced an amelioration of their physical symptoms and have improved their overall health condition. Although medical treatments are required for most patients, people who follow multiple sclerosis therapy need smaller doses of medications. Combined with an appropriate diet and a healthy lifestyle, multiple sclerosis therapy through exercise can be very benefic.