The Ins and Outs of Multiple Sclerosis
General Information about Multiple Sclerosis
Did you know about 400,000 people in the United States are living with Multiple Sclerosis? In the month of March we want to bring awareness to Multiple Sclerosis. MS is a neurological disease, meaning it affects a person’s nerves. A substance called myelin is wrapped around the nerve, this substance protects the nerve. MS causes your body to attack its own myelin causing scar tissue or lesions on the myelin. Without a healthy layer of myelin on the nerve, the nerves are unable to function normally. MS is most prevalent in Caucasian women between the ages of 20-45. Geographic location has also been linked to the number of cases reported. Areas further away from the equator seem to have more MS diagnoses reported.
Living with Multiple Sclerosis
MS is a chronic condition due to the fact that a cure has not yet been discovered. However, the majority of people living with MS have a normal life expectancy. The disease is not fatal; MS symptoms can be managed and controlled with different medications and lifestyle modifications. Only a rare few may experience complications so severe that there life is shortened due to MS related problems.
Ever Changing Symptoms
Symptoms of MS can vary amongst different people. Some symptoms include numbness, tingling, vision problems, trouble with balance and slurred speech. It is hard to generalize MS symptoms because each person experiences the disease differently. These symptoms can come and go often. The unpredictable pattern of symptoms is attributed to have the body attacks the nerves and which nerves are being attacked at that time.
Flare-ups and Remission
For the majority of people that are seeking treatment for MS they will go through periods of flare-ups and remission. Flare-ups are periods when your MS symptoms are very prevalent. A period of remission is when you experience no symptoms of the disease. Remissions can last for extended periods of time, even for years. This does not mean that you no longer have MS. Medication can help put you into remission. However, your immune system is still wired to attack the myelin on your nerves. Medications are great at subduing symptoms for periods of time but they are likely to return at some point.
Cognitive Skills and Multiple Sclerosis
It is not uncommon for people with MS to develop problems with memory or finding the right words to verbally express themselves. These problems are related back to the breakdown of myelin around the nerves. The inabilities to concentrate and pay attention are also commonly related to Multiple Sclerosis.
Just Chill
Heat intolerance is common and can cause symptoms to be aggregated. People living with MS are directed to stay cool whenever possible. Possible scenarios that could led to a spike in symptoms include, hot weather, high fever, hot baths and increase in body temperature from exercise.
Add Vitamin D
The 2012 issue of Neurology shows that research was conducted showing a link between vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis. Vitamin D can act as a protector against MS and may decrease the frequency of flare-ups. You can obtain vitamin D by ingesting fortified milk, orange juice and breakfast cereals. Other great sources of vitamin D include cod liver oil, swordfish, salmon, tuna and eggs.
MS has not stopped Mary from going the extra mile to feel freedom again. This story will truly inspire you to go the extra mile as well.
