Recognizing Multiple Sclerosis

" Multiple Sclerosis " (Multiple Sclerosis, abbreviated MS) is a central nervous system ( the brain and spinal cord ) , chronic disease , which means it 's lesions in the brain or spinal cord. Our nerve dendritic cells have many nerve fibers , these fibers as intricate wires in general, central nervous system in our organized into dense complex networks . Nature is very clever in our nerve fibers and covered with a layer called " myelin " substance , myelin is not only the same as the wire plastic skin will not allow different wires shorted , but can also accelerate the body's myelin nerve signals that we conduction.When these myelin is damaged, the nerve signals that we will slow down or even stop the transmission . Multiple sclerosis is because in the central nervous system demyelination produced massive sizes and cause symptoms . The so-called " hardening " refers to these areas because of demyelination generated in the process of tissue repair scar tissue and harden. These lumps may be several, as time progresses , the lump may also appear new , so called " multiple sclerosis " , and joint curing does not matter. .Symptoms of the disease depends on its impact on the nervous organization, will affect the ability of muscle coordination , resulting in visual impairment , obstruction or delay nerve signals sent and received. Multiple sclerosis occurs when the brain occur when stroke-like symptoms, such as hemiplegia or slurred speech ; occurs in the prefrontal , depressive symptoms appear similar ; appear in the optic nerve , you may not see eye to become ; occur in the spinal cord , then the physical action tingling weakness. These symptoms vary, are not the same severity , the most severe cases, paralysis or even death. These symptoms may lessen or disappear after the disappearance may further seizures . Whether it will produce new symptoms or new symptoms generated timing can not be predicted .Patients can self- aware in the sense that its symptoms will disappear after a week or two , and soon after the emergence , which can be suspected in multiple sclerosis, but not stroke or vision problems. Multiple sclerosis is still can not be prevented , but if you repeatedly occur, it could result in cumulative effects , repeated damage to the nerve cells and cause permanent damage.Why would this for myelin lesions , there are many different theories, this is generally considered an autoimmune disease , which means that our immune system ( the body directed antibodies and white blood cells ) was wrong to cover and protect the nerve fibers myelin as foreign substances to be destroyed. Personal physical or viruses are likely to contribute to the immune response ; far, the medical profession still can not find that kind of virus can be identified for this disease culprit. In short , the cause remains a mystery so far .Generally speaking, the clinical manifestations of multiple sclerosis on the injured area with myelin , depending on the damaged myelin nerve tissue affected , depending on symptoms roughly the following circumstances :1 Visually Impaired : blurred vision, double vision , visual field defect , involuntary eye twitching, severe and even blindness.2 imbalance : the loss of balance , weakness , lower limb or limbs completely paralyzed.3 mobility : due to muscle spasms or stiffness influence activity , cramps.4 paresthesia : often feel burning or tingling numbness , facial pain ( trigeminal neuralgia ) , limb pain .5 lisp : slow speech , pronunciation vague, speech rhythm changes , difficulty swallowing.6 fatigue, frequent urination , inability to completely empty the urine , constipation , incontinence .7 short-term memory , attention , judgment, there will be problems .Patients with multiple morbidity in twenty to forty years of age , in particular was thirty-one and 33 the most common, the incidence of women is about twice that of men , relatively high prevalence Caucasians , children and the elderly extremely rare. Asians occurred in the spinal cord and optic nerve Office ; Westerners are more common in the brain .Surgical treatment of this disease can not , so far cure multiple sclerosis has not yet been found , but for control of the disease and complications arising from the disease are still many treatments. For diseases caused by symptoms such as stiffness, spasms , pain, bowel and bladder malfunction , etc., combined with drug treatment and rehabilitation can improve the symptoms . Injection of high doses of corticosteroids can be used to treat acute episodes , but there weight gain, high blood , diabetes, cataracts, osteoporosis, and adverse effects ; Recently there to inhibit the use of beta interferon overactive immune cells to delay the disease deterioration and reduce the recurrence of the number of reports.In addition , there are also the use of immune suppression to reduce immune function, reduce the myelin injury therapy, but easy to make patients suffer from reduced immunity viral and bacterial infections, so this treatment approach is still in the assessment phase . Of course, according to the patient's condition will be given muscle relaxants , antidepressants , antiepileptic agents to treat. The drug treatment rehabilitation is necessary , it normally takes three to six months.Many physicians also found that optimism hold a multiple sclerosis patient , can often enjoy a more abundant life , and more likely to be symptomatic improvement . However, proper treatment can not be interrupted , usually can swim care, but avoid baked three warm to prevent disease progression .Expand the scope of multiple sclerosis NHI :This rare disease, multiple sclerosis , Taiwan has only four hundred and eighty of these patients possess significant injuries cards, additional covered for health insurance now , the medical community believe that potential patients would be more willing to accept treatment.German Schering pharmaceutical companies worldwide R & D chief expert Professor Shi Take (Dr.GUNTER STOCK) that determine the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis , the best treatment is not interrupted , otherwise the disease will continue to deteriorate , the treatment of the drug is in the acute when interferon therapy , chronic phase to β interferon treatment ! therapy , after more than five years of follow proven to reduce the incidence of three percent .Taiwan's NHI NHI has been included in the scope of Multiple Sclerosis , December 1 last year , and further distinguish relapsing -remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and the continuing deterioration of multiple sclerosis (SPMS) in two stages , are included in the scope of payment .Taiwan, the number of patients with multiple sclerosis is undervalued situations , many patients seek alternative therapies uncertain efficacy .Desperately not trying everything :Pitt Star / Nantou CountyIn late August last year, a sudden back pain , since that flash to the waist , ignored. The next day, the pain got worse , not straight back , then to a bone hospital.Two days later, not only did not alleviate the pain , but more powerful. Family took me to chiropractic , tossing more than an hour , the whole was not like people like me pain .Ju expected over the five days , feet tingling , weakness, even sit, stand, toilet are having difficulties, soles of the feet had no feeling , but unable to walk . Family sent me to the hospital for orthopedic surgeons checked. Orthopedic surgeons suspected disc herniation nerve, but X-rays do lumbar computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are unable to find the cause.Treatment for three days, no improvement condition , but intensified , lower body paralyzed , unable to stand , it must wheelchair . Referral to a medical center in Taichung , took over from the neurology physician , after thoracic MRI scans , making the blood and spinal fluid examination , and finally diagnosed with thoracic eighth and twelve inflammation, nerve compression of the lower extremities . Physicians say that this disease is a rare spinal multiple sclerosis.Physician first steroid injections to impose a few days , and then prescribe medication , feet tingling gradually reduced, and with rehabilitation , six months before slowly recovering . Neurologist told me that because of multiple sclerosis, spinal cord of unknown etiology , difficult to diagnose , so easily mistaken for bone spurs or sciatica. But more than in the cervical spine inflammation disease affects the optic nerve , causing blindness, or unable to speak , the condition changes quickly , do not overlook .After this lesson , take a half a wheelchair. Advise you , in the future body pain , never trying everything to avoid physical and mental suffering afflicted .