Multiple Sclerosis - Research Paper Example

Multiple Sclerosis Definition Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is a disease that weakens the body’s immune system and “eats away at the protective sheath that covers the nerves (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009).” Due to the absence of the protective sheath, communication is interfered between the brain and the rest of the body. The disease has the ability to deteriorate the nerves themselves, which is something that can not be reversed or cured. Etiology It is still being understood as to why some people develop multiple sclerosis and others do not, because doctors and researches are having a difficult time at understanding what could cause multiple sclerosis. A few ideas have been gathered that pinpoint some of the more known reasons as to what causes multiple sclerosis, as well a few concepts that are still being considered but have yet to fully be proven. While multiple sclerosis has not been connected to genes, it has been found that a variety of genetic variations can increase the risk of developing the disease; there are specific genes that have been directly linked to the cause of multiple sclerosis in a person. A person that has a relative that has multiple sclerosis stands a higher chance at developing the disease; parents and children, and siblings, can possess the disease that makes it possible for the other to develop it also. Indeed, multiple sclerosis “has an overall familial recurrence rate of 20% (Compston, 2008).” The less that a person is related to someone, such as the difference between siblings and half-siblings, the less chance that there is that multiple sclerosis will be developed. There are certain genes that are connected with multiple sclerosis, and they need to be present in a family member to make the disease possible. Environment plays a fairly decent role in what causes multiple sclerosis. A decreased exposure to sunlight has been connected to those with multiple sclerosis, as well as the distance someone lives from the equator, though this is not as common. Anything within that environment, such as stressful events or cigarette smoke, as well as characteristics that can bring about infections to a person, thus damaging their immune system, can cause multiple sclerosis. Risk Factors Risk factors of multiple sclerosis include age, sex and race, hereditary, and geographical factors, as well as the existence of other diseases and infections. Multiple sclerosis is capable of developing at any age, though the most common age group to develop the disease is between twenty and forty years of age. Women are twice as likely to develop multiple sclerosis than men are. Caucasians, especially those that are from Europe or can trace their linage to Europe, are at an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Those that are of Native American, Asian, and African descent appear to have the lowest risk at developing the disease. As aforementioned, a larger risk of multiple sclerosis can be seen in families that have a history of multiple sclerosis. If a parent or sibling has the disease, another sibling has a one to three percent chance of developing multiple sclerosis, as opposed to the general population, in which each person a just a tenth of one percent chance. Again, the presence of the genes specific to multiple sclerosis need to be present in a family member to make it possible for another family member to develop the disease. However, this scenario does not necessarily hold true for identical twins, who only have a thirty percent chance of developing multiple sclerosis if their twin already has it (Birnbaum, 2009). In regard to geological factors, the countries that seem to be most common with their bouts of multiple sclerosis are Europe, New Zealand, southern Canada and northern United States, and southeastern Australia -- latitude seems to play a big role in deciding on what locations are most common for multiple sclerosis. If a person moves from a high-risk area to a low-risk area, their risks decreased for developing multiple sclerosis, and vice versa, if they were to move from low-risk area to a high risk area. However, if the moves between locations take place after a child hits puberty, they usually maintain the risk that they had at their first location. Many viruses and diseases have been connected to multiple sclerosis, so people with diseases stand a bigger chance at developing the virus. The virus that holds the biggest association with multiple sclerosis is the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes infectious mononucleosis. People increase their chances at developing multiple sclerosis when they already have thyroid disease, Type 1 diabetes, or inflammatory bowel disease. The reason behind this is that these diseases are already weakening the immune systems of the patients. Symptoms and Signs Some of the more common symptoms of multiple sclerosis are numbness and weakness in one or various parts of the body part, more particularly arms and legs. This pain only occurs on one side of the body or on the lower half of the body. There can be a loss of vision in the eyes, often one eye and a time, and an increasing of pain as the patient tries to establish movement with their eyes; double or blurred vision is also possible. Pain throughout the body and electric-shock sensations that take place when the head moves is quite common in multiple sclerosis patients. Exhaustion, dizziness, a lack of coordination, and random tremors throughout the body are common, though are not looked upon as much as the other symptoms, since these could also be the causes of another disease or of medication. These symptoms all vary based on the location of the affected nerve fibers. Furthermore, people with multiple sclerosis may experience their symptoms one day, but feel them increasing as the week goes on; they go through many relapses, which are followed by partial and complete remission. Then, they go through stages in which they experience an increase in their symptoms once more. Their symptoms and signs often get worse or can be triggered by an increase in body temperature. Secondary Complications There are a variety of complications that come with being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. One of the most common and widespread complications is intense, disabling pain throughout the body. Due to the pain in the body, a patient of multiple sclerosis experiences muscle stiffness and spasms, and paralysis, which is more common in the legs. Furthermore, due to the pain that they feel, it becomes difficult to go about basic daily activities. Patients can experience problems with the functioning of their bladders and bowels. Some of the greatest complications that a patient can undergo are depression, epilepsy, and changes in their mental being, such as forgetfulness and problems with concentration. Prognosis Predicting the progression of multiple sclerosis is very difficult, as each individual responds to the disease differently. “Most people with multiple sclerosis will be able to continue to walk and function at their work for many years after their diagnosis (“What’s Prognosis?”) However, regardless of how long it may take for the symptoms to take their toll, five percent of all multiple sclerosis patients have a severe progression and die within five years of the onset of their symptoms. Another ten to twenty percent of patients that experience their symptoms at little to absolutely no progression. All the same, roughly every seven out of ten people are still alive twenty-five years after they are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, especially in the younger patients, suicide is one of the leading factors of death in patients with multiple sclerosis (Halbreich, 1993). Some people succumb to their symptoms slowly and over time, while others experience their symptoms well before they are diagnosed. However, there are also those patients that do not feel their symptoms at all, or do not feel them for many years down the road; in many instances, people are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but do not experience the symptoms at all, or not immediately. The life expectancy of people with multiple sclerosis is five to ten years lower in comparison to those that do not have the disease. Roughly forty percent of multiple sclerosis patients reach their seventieth birthday (Halbreich). As aforementioned, suicide is one of the biggest causes of deaths to patients with multiple sclerosis. Prevention and Management While there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, nor have their been methods to prevent the disease, there are treatments and medications that are designated to target the individual symptoms, as well as tending to the faulty autoimmune response. Over-the-counter pain killers, as well as others that require a prescription have proven to be effective in relieving pain in a multiple sclerosis symptoms. Corticosteroids, for example, are the most common form of medication given to a multiple sclerosis patient, which helps to reduce the inflammation that occurs during a relapse. Interferons slow the progression of the intensity of multiple sclerosis symptoms. Therapy is also used as a method to overcome the symptoms; physical and occupational therapists can teach the patient exercises that can help them to strengthen their bodies, as well as exercises that can be undertaken to make daily tasks easier. The patient can help themselves to overcome some of the more painful symptoms. As fatigue is a common symptom, patients need to be sure to get enough rest. They also need to watch what they eat and get plenty of exercise, trying to focus on exercises designed by their therapists. As body temperature can trigger symptoms, patients need to keep themselves away from extreme heat and extreme cold. This will also help avoid the weakening of muscles. Works Cited Birnbaum, Gary. Multiple Sclerosis. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print. Compston, A. “Multiple Sclerosis.” Lancet 372 (2008): 1502-1517. Web. 11 April 2010. Halbreich, Uriel. Multiple Sclerosis: A Neuropsychiatric Disorder. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing, Incorporated, 1993. Print. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Multiple Sclerosis.” MayoClinic.com. The Mayo Clinic, 3 Feb. 2009. Web. 11 April 2010. “What’s Prognosis of Multiple Sclerosis?” Health-care.net. Neurology, 18 July 2005. Web. 12 April 2010. Read More