Multiple Sclerosis
"MS"
What is MS?
Multiple Sclerosis is when the body’s own individual immune system attacks the tissue surrounding the nerves located in the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord
Multiple Sclerosis in specifics
Useful video that may explain Multiple Sclerosis even further and provide personal stories who have or had it!
Where is MS most common?
Multiple Sclerosis is common in regions that are located far from the equator (ex: Scandinavia and other parts of the Northern Europe)
These areas receive less sunlight;therefore, it is thought that a deficiency of vitamin D, which is what your skin receives when sunlight shines down onto it, may be involved in Multiple Sclerosis
Symptoms
weakness in an arm or leg
numbeness
loss of balance
vision problems
“neuritis:” may result in loss of color vision, blindness, pain in eye (only occurs in one eye usually)
speech problem: due to the damage of the nerves that carry the speech signals to the brain
mild memory loss
takes longer to solve problems
trouble concentrating
loss of bladder control
sleepiness even after a good night of sleep
Who can be affected by MS?
Multiple Sclerosis is most common between the ages of 20 to 50. However, Multiple Sclerosis can occur in men, women and children. It is at least twice as common in women as it is men. Children are usually not diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at a young age because it is so difficult to diagnose and symptoms may be harmless. Any race can be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis but, Caucasians of Northern European ancestry are most at risk.
Are there any treatments for MS?
It is said that “more than half of people with MS experience vision problems called optic and is the first sign of possible diagnoses of MS”
How is MS inherited?
What is the long-term outlook for a child with MS?
Multiple Sclerosis appears to progress slower in children than in adults. The reason for this is because it is thought that a child’s developing brain and immature immune system may protect the child from quick disease progression. It is very hard to identify MS in adults;however, it is extremely more difficult to recognize symptoms and indication of MS in a child.
Will further assistance be needed, as the child grows older?
Of course, medical assistance will be needed if future attacks do happen as the child gets older.
MS is usually not diagnosed until you become an adult. The symptoms do occur but does not progress as quickly as when you are an adult therefore not making it very serious and the attacks light. There is of course a chance that Multiple Sclerosis can be very serious at a young age. In this case, further treatment will be needed. Although there is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis, it is not fatal. Most people have a normal life expectancy. In few cases, MS can shorten life. Many complications with this disease are preventable.
If you have MS can you have children?
Yes, you can still have children if you Multiple Sclerosis. The child may be passed down the disease but very little information is known as to how high the chances are. Multiple Sclerosis does not affect fertility or normal pregnancy progression. The medication taken for MS can increase the chances of a miscarriage and are transmitted into breast milk given to the baby. However, there is a three-to-four cancel of a child being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The positive side is, as said before, MS is not fatal and you can live a happy life with this disease.
What future research is being done on MS?
Advances in understanding and treating MS are made successfully every year. The National Multiple Sclerosis Cite is doing further research on how to stop the disease's progression , restore function and end MS.
What are the three goals for children with MS?
Treat attacks: use MS medication
Prevent future attacks: further research is being done on how to do so
- relieve symptoms: use helpful medication
Citations
Multiple Sclerosis." Genetics Home Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.Derrer, David T. "Multiple Sclerosis Pictures: MS Brain Lesions, Symptoms, Causes, Types, and Treatments." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.
"Frequently Asked Questions about Multiple Sclerosis." Multiple Sclerosis FAQs and MS Glossary. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.
"MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Causes: Environment, Genetics, and More." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.
Boyd, Jennifer. "Coping with Multiple Sclerosis." Article Details. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.