Causes Of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurologic disease that affects the Central Nervous System (CNS) through cellular immune response and the demyelination of CNS white matter (McCance et al., 2014, pp. 630–633). The initial causes of MS are unknown however, it is believed that it could possibly be due to an immune response to an initiating infection or an autoimmune response to CNS antigens on the myelin itself (Brück, 2005) (Miljković and Spasojević, 2013). MS is a result of the degradation of the myelin sheath surrounding neurons and therefore disrupts the transmission of action potentials along these cells. MS can display itself in the form of symptoms ranging from muscle weakness to trouble with sensation and coordination (NHS, 2016). The degradation of myelin leads the body to attempt to remyelinate the neurons, a process that in turn leads to the thickening of the cell by glial cells and this causes lesions to form (Chari, 2007). It is this thickening (sclerae) from which the disease gets its name. Sufferers of MS can either have a relapsing type of MS, in which there are episodes that lead to the worsening of symptoms for a period of time, or a progressive type of MS where symptoms gradually progress and worsen (McCance et al., 2014, pp. 630–633).

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a disease of the central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. Both have nerve fibers that are wrapped in a myelin sheath. In MS, the myelin sheath becomes inflamed and gradually is destroyed. With the destruction of the myelin sheath comes an array of symptoms that may include numbness or tingling, balance problems, weakness, muscle spasms, and blurred vision.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. MS affects approximately 3.0 million people globally, with about 300,000 cases in the United States. Twice as many women as men have MS. The average ages for onset of MS is 20-40 years. In MS, cells in the immune system attack and destroy myelin, the fatty tissue surrounding nerve cells (http://www.phylomed.com/MS.html). Scar tissue replaces the myelin, interfering with the transmission of nerve signals and leading to numbness, fatigue, spasticity, loss of muscle control, and various other debilitating symptoms. There are four broad theories

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a disease of the central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. Both have nerve fibers that are wrapped in a myelin sheath. In MS, the myelin sheath becomes inflamed and gradually is destroyed. With the destruction of the myelin sheath comes an array of symptoms that may include numbness or tingling, balance problems, weakness, muscle spasms, and blurred vision.

In the world of neurology, there are a vast amount of neurological disorders, conditions, and diseases. One severe disease is known as Multiple Sclerosis. In this research essay, I will be discussing what multiple sclerosis is, symptoms, causes, personal experience, and treatments.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system. The myelinated nerve cells get attacked which results in scars and lesions that destroy the myelin sheath. The reason for the body attacking its own nerve cells is unknown. Many believe that the cause of MS is from a virus, a deficiency in Vitamin D, or genetics. Studies are being done to find out what is the real cause of MS.

The causes for multiple sclerosis is unknown. It is an auto immune disease, which the immune system of the body attacks its own tissues. Multiple sclerosis is caused by damage of the myelin sheath. When the nerve covering is damaged, the nerve signals stops or slows down. The inflammation is caused by a nerve damage. This occurs in any region of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord. Women are more affected than men. Commonly diagnosed between ages 20 and 40, but it can be seen at any age.

Multiple Sclerosis, commonly known as MS is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Scientists have been studying MS since the 19th century. In MS, the body’s immune system produces cells and antibodies that attack myelin in your brain which is essential for the nerves in your brain and spinal cord to conduct electricity to perform its function. The attack on myelin results in vison loss, paralysis, numbness, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, stiffness, spasms, and bladder and bowel problems. MS has varying degrees of severity and affects people between the ages of 20-50, mostly women. Although there are treatments, there is no cause and cure yet.

“Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which your immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers your nerves” (Mayo Clinic). The immune system is a defensive system that protects your body from diseases and illnesses such as parasites and bacteria (Science Museum). Not only does your immune system defend the human body but also the immune system can work against the body, which is known as autoimmune disease. Since the immune system is working against your body to attack the myelin, this creates an opportunity for multiple sclerosis to invade the nerves in the central nervous system (CNS). The myelin within the body acts like insulation to protect and coat the nervous system (National Multiple Sclerosis Society). Once the myelin is eroded, the nerves become exposed which then causes signals to and from the brain to become distorted or irrupted causing a wide range of symptoms to occur (National Multiple Sclerosis Society). The effect of the myelin eroding is an irreversible process (Mayo Clinic). “The damaged myelin forms scar tissue (sclerosis), which

The main cause of MS is yet to be known, researchers have suggested that MS is a demyelinating disease. Here myelin gets degenerated. Myelin is a material which is composed of fats and provides insulation for the nerves. This insulation of fat contributes in transmission of impulses with very high speed, allowing people to move almost without thinking. Therefore, when this myelin sheath is not present it cause a short circuiting like case and the person cannot move rapidly, smoothly and coordinate movements. According to researchers the immune system mistakes the myelin as a foreign body and attacks to destroy this myelin. It is not known yet what triggers the immune system but it is thought to be a combination of many factors. Among a few theories a virus that lies dormant in the body plays a major role in the causing of this disease by disturbing the immune system or indirectly contribute to the autoimmunity. Another one of the theories also says that it is not because of any specific virus but a common virus like herpes or measles which activates the

Multiple sclerosis cause is also unknown, but it is an autoimmune disease where the immune system destroys myelin, the fatty substance coating and protecting the brain and spinal cord.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord, particularly the central nervous system (CNS). In MS the immune system attacks the myelin, which is the protective sheath that covers the nerve fibers and causes communication between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause the nerves to deteriorate or even lead to permanent damage. They deteriorate in variable degrees and produce significant disability within 20-25 years in more than 30% of patients, (Luzzio, 2016). The majority of people diagnosed with MS are adults between the ages of 20 and 45; twice as many women are affected compared to men. However, MS can present itself in childhood or late middle age, but is uncommon. According to Goldenberg (2012), there is no known cause for this debilitating disease, but it appears to involve a combination of genetic susceptibility and a nongenetic trigger, such as a virus, metabolism, or environmental factors

Marian Segal says, “There is an estimated of 300,000 Americans with Multiple Sclerosis today” (Segal). Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that attacks the central nervous system and blocks the flow of information that goes throughout the body. There are various symptoms that lead up to Multiple Sclerosis, for example: muscle loss, sensory and vision loss weakness and more. Gender can also play a role in the diagnosis process of this disease; females have a greater risk to get the disease. Scientists have still not found a cure or a cause of Multiple Sclerosis, but they have found ways to prevent the progression of the disease.

MS starts when the body’s immune system gradually destroy its myelin sheath, made up of the cells enclosing and protecting the central nervous system, that is, the spinal cord, nerves, and brain. The nerves are exposed, out in the open when the myelin sheath is destroyed and absent to protect the CNS, causing the brain to have trouble conducting impulses to the parts of the body. Some common symptoms of multiple sclerosis are light-headedness, memory loss or other memory problems, change in emotions, misperception and so on. They are caused by the damaged myelin sheath lining the CNS and cause an interruption between the CNS and part of the body controlled by it which are the cells, tissues, muscles, organs and the systems. Cognitive issues similar to dementia, seizures and tremors are experienced. Several major bodily dysfunctions in the various systems of the human body are observed as well.

In MS, the loss of myelin (demyelination) is accompanied by a disruption in the ability of the nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain. This produces the various symptoms of MS. The sites where myelin is lost (plaques or lesions) appear as hardened (scar) areas: in multiple sclerosis these scars appear at different times and in different areas of the brain and spinal cord. The term multiple sclerosis means ‘many scars’. (3)