What is Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a place in the central nervous system ( brain and spinal cord ) of the disease . Nerve cells extending from the cell body of many dendritic nerve fibers , these fibers as intricate wires in general, organized into complex dense networks. The outer layer of nerve fibers wrapped in a layer called " myelin " (myelin) of the material, it's like leather with plastic wire insulation isolation function , so that different neural pathways of signal does not interfere with each other , while also speeding we conduction of nerve signals . When myelin is damaged, the nerve signaling will slow down or even stop . Multiple sclerosis is generated because the central nervous system demyelination and myelin massive onset of symptoms . '' Sclerosis'' The word comes from the Greek skleros means " hardening ." In multiple sclerosis, demyelination of myelin area in tissue repair process, along axons (axon) produce scar tissue (plaque) and harden . Central nervous system may occur simultaneously with multiple nerve demyelination damaged myelin situation , so called " multiple " (Multiple). May occur in patients with reduced mobility , impaired vision , pain and other symptoms.
MS is not contagious , it will not be fatal. However, because MS blocking the nervous system messaging , so MS symptoms may be severe , people maimed . MS is considered to be an autoimmune disease (autoimmune disease). Meaning that the individual 's immune system attacks its own tissues . In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks myelin straight .
Immune System
Your body has been careful to look forward to no foreign invaders , such as : bacteria or viruses. If these invaders enter your body , they may make you sick. However , your body , and a set of preventive measures to fight these microorganisms that can make you free from infection. These defensive measures constitute your immune system . Some immune cells can destroy the invaders themselves , while other cells can make more blood flow in areas of infection , resulting in inflammation. The rest of the immune cells to produce chemicals or " antibodies " (antibodies), is used to detect harmful intruders find and destroy them . These antibody-producing cells in the lymphatic system (lymphatic system), the so-called lymphatic system refers to a group of immune-related organs, including : bone marrow, thymus , spleen , lymph nodes, tonsils and appendix . When these cells detect an intruder or foreign substances when they began to travel elsewhere in the body . In each of the lymphatic system lymphatic organs connected to each other , which will eventually lead to lymphatic vessels.
Sometimes , the immune system mistakenly put yourself part of the body as foreign substances and attacks , this is called " autoimmune response " (autoimmune response). In the case of multiple sclerosis brain, the immune system attacks the myelin surrounding nerve cells and the spinal cord.
What causes multiple sclerosis ?
Although we have yet to clarify the exact cause of multiple sclerosis , but there are several environmental factors and genetic factors may promote autoimmune reactions.
Environmental Factors
The researchers found that in areas farther from the equator , MS will also increase the incidence . Even in the U.S. , MS in the north than in the south to the common. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 's statistics , MS incidence in latitude 37 degrees below are per 100,000 of which 57 to 78 people . In the region above 37 degrees north latitude is 110 per 100,000 people to 140 people were - latitude 37 degrees is nearly twice the area . However , why is there such a distribution pattern of MS , which is still a mystery to be solved . There may be the environment in which certain events ( for example : the virus ) is easy to induce an autoimmune response .
Genetic factors
An individual is susceptible to the impact of MS , genetic factors may also be one of the factors . If the family has a person suffering from MS, the other close relative with MS to improve the chances of , for example: the patient's child, brother or sister . MS patients whose identical twin brothers and sisters has a 33% chance of developing the MS. However, since the probability of its occurrence is not 100 %, so MS is not strictly a hereditary disease .
What happened to the nervous system ?
Multiple sclerosis affects the brain in several ways :
Plaque inflammation may occur in the brain myelin and axons wrapped nervous system rest . Inflammation may cause damage to myelin .
Myelin wrapping axons may deteriorate or lose , is called " demyelination quality" (demyelination).
Axons may therefore be damaged or destroyed.
When myelin is damaged, electrical signals transmitted along the axon destruction . After slowing in the inflammatory response , the body is likely to be damaged myelin can be repaired. This process is called " myelin regeneration phenomena " (remyelination).
Normal cell

Cells affected by multiple sclerosis

Who will get multiple sclerosis ? Symptoms Why ?
Patients are usually 20 to 40 years of age showed symptoms of multiple sclerosis ; women suffering from multiple sclerosis is the probability that two to three times the male . The National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates that about 25 to 35 million people in the United States suffer from multiple sclerosis.
General symptoms:Somatosensory ( tactile ) problems such as numbness or tingling
Loss of muscle strength or sensitivity
Walking , balance, or coordination problems
Because it is caused by inflammation of nerve visual problems
Other possible symptoms:Bladder and intestines problems
Pain
Fatigue
Cognitive aspects ( eg : thinking, memory )
Gloomy
Slurred speech
Multiple sclerosis symptoms vary.
Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (Relapsing-Remitting MS): MS patient symptoms appear , but it seems you can recover after each episode . After some time , the symptoms re- emerge . Patients over time with repeated episodes of remission . This is the most common type of multiple sclerosis .
Sclerosis exacerbation onset type (Primary Progressive MS): no relief after the first onset patients , worsening condition .
Subsequent deterioration of multiple sclerosis (Secondary Progressive MS): these patients after the onset of beginning to recover , but later evolved into increasingly serious after the onset of symptoms can not be undone .
Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis

Deteriorating sclerosis onset

Subsequent deterioration of multiple sclerosis

How do you know someone who is not got multiple sclerosis ?
Patients usually tell their history and their physicians have experienced symptoms. Your doctor may do some tests to confirm the diagnosis. Some of the early symptoms of multiple sclerosis may also be signs of other diseases , so it is to make a correct diagnosis can be very time consuming. Physicians may use magnetic resonance imaging , lumbar puncture and evoked potentials recorded to make some test.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

 MRI using a strong magnetic field to get the brain and spinal cord images. In MS patients , 70 % to 95 % of patients can be observed in the MRI inflamed or damaged tissue plaques.
Lumbar puncture
Lumbar puncture is used to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid process , cerebrospinal fluid is a brain and spinal cord surrounded by a liquid . Inserted between the vertebrae in the spinal cord long needle , and draw some of the spinal fluid . Multiple sclerosis patients are usually in their cerebrospinal fluid immune cell numbers are on the rise .
Evoked potentials
Measuring evoked potentials from the scalp electrodes record contains the potential changes of the brain . Flash ( visual evoked potentials ) , sound ( auditory evoked potentials ) , or skin slight vibration ( somatosensory evoked potentials ) can be used to synchronize the brain's potential activity . Because multiple sclerosis myelin surrounding axons damaged nerve cells than the electronic impulses to the nerve cells of the small or slow .
How to treat multiple sclerosis ?
Steroids
Steroids (Corticosteroids) is produced by the adrenal (adrenal gland) are generated derived hormone related chemicals. In these drugs are used as anti-inflammatory drugs , while the body's immune response to immunization . Although steroids can reduce the duration of symptoms , but they do not cure MS. Commonly used steroids are : methylprednisolone, prednisone , and cortisol (adrenocorticotropic hormone).
Interferon (Interferons)
Interferon drugs can suppress inflammation in addition to outside , it also can be used as antiviral drugs. Beta- interferon (Beta interferon) for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS good effect.
Glatiramer Acetate
Glatiramer acetate constitute a component of myelin . When patients taking this drug , the immune system attacks it will turn without attacking myelin original body , making certain the patient's symptoms can therefore be eased.
Immunosuppressants (Immunosuppressants)
Immunosuppressants will block or suppress the immune system , this way you can reduce the body continue to attack autologous myelin . Immunosuppressive drugs include : methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, and mitoxantrone.