MultipleSclerosis

=Multiple Sclerosis=

=__**Description:**__= Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a crippling disease that effects the brain and spinal cord. It attacks the material that surrounds the nerve cells, called the myelin sheath. This slows down the communication of the nerve cells, and in extreme cases it can completely block the communication rendering the victim completely crippled. Multiple Sclerosis can affect the person's muscles, nerves and senses.

 MS is an autoimmune disease, this means that it occurs because the body is attacking itself. There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis at this time. However, there are therapies that may slow the disease. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and help you maintain a normal quality of life.



=**__Symptoms: __**= Symptoms vary, because the location and severity of each attack can be different. Episodes can last for days, weeks, or months. These episodes alternate with periods of reduced or no symptoms (remissions). This makes it hard to diagnose at an early stage. Fever, hot baths, sun exposure, and stress can trigger or worsen attacks. It is common for the disease to return (relapse). However, the disease may continue to get worse without periods of remission.

Due to the fact that nerves in any part of the brain or spinal cord may be damaged, patients with multiple sclerosis can have symptoms in many parts of the body.

Muscle symptoms: > > > > > > > >
 *  Loss of balance
 *  [|Muscle spasms]
 *  [|Numbness] or abnormal sensation in any area
 *  Problems moving arms or legs
 *  Problems walking
 *  Problems with [|coordination] and making small movements
 *  [|Tremor] in one or more arms or legs
 *  [|Weakness] in one or more arms or legs

Bowel and bladder symptoms: > > > > >
 *  [|Constipation] and stool leakage
 *  Difficulty beginning to urinate
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> [|Frequent need to urinate]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> Strong urge to urinate
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> Urine leakage ( [|incontinence] )

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Eye symptoms: > > > >
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> [|Double vision]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> [|Eye discomfort]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> [|Uncontrollable rapid eye movements]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> [|Vision loss] (usually affects one eye at a time)

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Numbness, tingling, or pain: > > >
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> [|Facial pain]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> Painful [|muscle spasms]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> Tingling, crawling, or burning feeling in the arms and legs

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Other brain and nerve symptoms: > > > > >
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> Decreased attention span, poor judgment, and memory loss
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> Difficulty reasoning and solving problems
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> [|Depression] or feelings of sadness
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> [|Dizziness] and balance problems
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> [|Hearing loss]

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Sexual symptoms: > >
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> [|Problems with erections]
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> Problems with vaginal lubrication

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Speech and swallowing symptoms: > >
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> Slurred or difficult-to-understand speech
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> Trouble chewing and swallowing

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> [|Fatigue] is a common and bothersome symptom and unfortunately as MS progresses it often worsens.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">__**Causes:**__ <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">MS is caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. When this nerve covering is damaged, nerve impulses are slowed down or stopped. The nerve damage is caused by inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the body's own immune cells attack the nervous system. Repeated episodes of inflammation can occur along any area of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Researchers are not sure what triggers the inflammation. The most common theories point to a virus or genetic defect, or a combination of both. Geographic studies indicate there may be an environmental factor involved. People with a family history of MS and those who live in a geographical area where MS is more common have a slightly higher risk of the disease.

__ Web Resources: __

[|http://www.mayoclinic.com]
 * [|More about Multiple Sclerosis]**

Crippling Auto Immune Disease Nervous System Disease
 * Related Terminology:**


 * Citations/References:**
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