Multiple sclerosis is the chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of central nervous system. It is an autoimmune disorder and is characterised by the production of antibodies that damage the nerve myelin sheath and ultimately the nerve itself. This leads to production of the significant physical disability commonly called as paralysis along with other symptoms like paraesthesia, intention tremor, scanning speech, nystagmus, heat intolerance, bowel and bladder dysfunction, sharp pain, ataxia, tremors and many more.
It has been found that clinical condition named as CCSVI, that is chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency is one of the factors that add to the damage of nerves or nervous system in multiple sclerosis.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS affects largely the young adults between the age of 20-40 years and is more common in women.
It is an autoimmune disease which is induced by viral and several other infectious agent which leads to increased antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid that elicits the autoimmune response resulting in nerve damage.
Categories of Multiple Sclerosis
Depending on the progression and relapses of the MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, it has been sub divided into four types;
- Relapsing remitting MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: most common which is characterised by relapses that is the acute worsening of the neurological functioning and remission which is the span without progression of disease along with partial or complete abatement of symptoMultiple Sclerosis.
- Secondary progressive MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: most of the patients with RRMULTIPLE SCLEROSIS usually develops SPMULTIPLE SCLEROSIS which begins with the relapsing and remitting course followed by the progression of the symptoMultiple Sclerosis.
- Progressive relapsing MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: It is progressive disease from the onset which is marked by continue disease progression between the relapses. It is seen mostly in people with MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS after 40 years of age.
- Primary progressive MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: It is the rare form characterized by continuous worsening of the disease from the onset without plateaus or temporary improvements.
Causes
The precise cause of MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS is unknown. However, the following factors play a vital role in progression of the MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.
- Immunological
Multiple Sclerosis is autoimmune disease which is believed to be induced by viral or infectious agents leading to breakdown of the immune system that ultimately destroys nervous system.
- Genetic
Genetic susceptibility plays an important role in development of Multiple Scleros. It has been proved that if one of the parents has MS, then their children are at high risk of getting the disease.
- Infection
Bacterial or viral infection can trigger Multiple Sclerosis as they are responsible and known to cause demyelination. These viruses includes herpes virus 6, chlamydial pneumonia, Epstein-Barr etc.