Multiple Sclerosis – Causes, Symptoms and Types

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that may affect any area of the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis does not affect nerve cells. Multiple sclerosis affects transmission of electrical signals to nerve cells. Multiple sclerosis is the most common cause of chronic neurological disability in young adults. Multiple sclerosis is not contagious.

This is seen most clearly in the physical demyelination of nerve membranes and the many symptoms of decreased nervous system function that accompany MS. According to Ayurveda theory, the functioning mode in the body called Vata controls the overall level of balance and activation of the nervous system. MS is a classic Vata imbalance from this perspective.

Causes

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, meaning its cause is an attack by the body's own immune system. For unknown reasons, immune cells attack and destroy the myelin sheath that insulates neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This myelin sheath, created by other brain cells called glia, speeds transmission and prevents electrical activity in one cell from short-circuiting to another cell. Disruption of communication between the brain and other parts of the body prevent normal passage of sensations and control messages, leading to the symptoms of MS. The demyelinated areas appear as plaques, small round areas of gray neuron without the white myelin covering.

Symptoms

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis may be single or multiple and may range from mild to severe in intensity and short to long in duration. Complete or partial remission from symptoms occurs early in about 70% of multiple sclerosis patients.

Visual disturbances may be the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis, but they usually subside. A patient may notice blurred vision, red-green distortion (color desaturation), or sudden monocular blindness (blindness in one eye). Muscle weakness with or without difficulties with coordination and balance may occur early. Muscle spasms, fatigue, numbness, and prickling pain are common symptoms.

Diet

As the diet may contain high levels of polyunsaturates, a good intake of vitamin E, vitamin B6, zinc and vitamin C is needed. Vitamin E is the main antioxidant that helps prevent peroxidation of polyunsaturates and vitamin C helps to protect vitamin E. Zinc and vitamin B6 are part of the enzyme delta-6-desaturase which is involved in conversion of linoleic acid (found in polyunsaturated fat and oils) to its longer chain derivatives.

Types of MS

There are four types of MS and each progresses differently.
Benign MS
With this type you will have a few relapses (times when your symptoms flare up) and then recover. However, you need to have had very few or no symptoms for about 15 years before this diagnosis can be made.

Secondary progressive

Secondary progressive describes around 80% of those with initial relapsing – remitting MS,who then begin to have neurologic decline between their acute attacks without any definite periods of remission. This decline may include new neurologic symptoms , worsening cognitive function, or other deficits. Secondary progressive is the most common type of MS and causes the greatest amount of disability.

Relapsing-remitting MS

For about 80 percent of people with MS, it begins as a relapsing and remitting condition. This means you have relapses followed by periods of remission when your symptoms get better.