Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease wherein the body's immune system damages the protective layer of nerves called "Myelin". It occurs when the body's immune system attacks nerve fibres and myelin sheathing (a fatty substance that surrounds and protects the nerve fibres) in the brain and spinal cord. This attack causes inflammation which thus destroys the nerve cell processes. This disrupts the flow of information from the brain to the rest of the body, causing coordination issues in the neural networks of the body.

Multiple Sclerosis means "scar tissue in multiple areas." When the myelin sheath disappears or sustains damage in multiple areas, it leaves a scar or Sclerosis. The main cause of MS is still unknown, but it is believed to be an autoimmune disorder.

MS is a progressive disease, i.e., it worsens with time. Also, the severity can escalate rapidly without proper multiple sclerosis treatment. The impact or the effects of MS differs from patient to patient, making it very unpredictable. Some individuals may be affected to a mild extent, while others may be hit harder as they lose their ability to walk, speak or write.

Four courses have been identified in Multiple Sclerosis – clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), primary progressive MS (PPMS), and secondary progressive MS (SPMS).

Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS): This is the first stage wherein inflammation and damage to the myelin appear in the brain or spinal cord. It doesn't meet the criteria for diagnosing MS, as only one area of damage to the myelin sheath is responsible for symptoms.

Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS): In this stage, the disease generally follows a predictable pattern during which the symptoms worsen and then improve. Individuals suffering from RRMS have relapses of MS. This stage eventually progresses into secondary progressive MS.

Secondary progressive MS (SPMS): Some individuals with the RRMS form of the condition tend to develop SPMS. This development generally happens within 10 to 25 years of the first diagnosis of the disease. Between the relapses during SPMS, the condition usually worsens.

Primary progressive MS (PPMS): Around 10%-15% of people suffer from PPMS. The disease in this stage progresses slowly and steadily but without any remission period. However, different individuals have differences in the progression rate over time.

The main causes of MS are still not clear. However, genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a major role in who gets this disease. Some of the common early symptoms of MS include.

• Fatigue

• Numbness and tingling

• Weakness

• Dizziness

• Pain

• Difficulty in walking

• Cognitive changes

• Vertigo

• Vision problems

These are, however, no classic symptoms confirming MS. Since many of the symptoms also occur with other conditions, diagnosing MS merely on symptoms can be difficult.

As mentioned earlier, the prime cause of MS is still unknown, anyone is susceptible to developing MS, but there are some common patterns. Let's list a few.

Gender: Studies reveal women more commonly develop MS, which is more than two to three times as many women. Additionally, this gender difference is continuously increasing over the past few years. Genetic: Genetic factors are known to be one of the reasons anyone develops MS. Still, there is no concrete evidence that MS is directly inherited.

Environment and Lifestyle: The risk of developing MS is shown to have increased due to environmental factors like low Vitamin D exposure and lifestyle habits like smoking cigarettes.

Ethnic groups: Caucasians of Northern European ancestry are known to have the highest number of MS cases. However, MS occurs in almost all ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics/Latinos.

Some of the complications of multiple sclerosis include:

• Permanent loss of vision

• Muscle spasms or stiffness

• Paralysis (mostly of the arms and the legs)

• Bowel, bladder or sexual dysfunction

• Mental issues like amnesia, depression, mood swings, etc.

Neurological diseases or conditions are difficult to diagnose because many symptoms may overlap each other. It often takes time to diagnose MS because other conditions related to the central nervous system (CNS), including CNS infections, inflammatory disorders, and genetic disorders, must first be ruled out.

You will need to undergo several physical and neurological examinations, and the doctor will thoroughly study symptoms and medical history.

Some of these examinations include:

• A blood test is to diagnose this disease.

• MRI scans find brain and spinal cord lesions, proving multiple sclerosis development.

• Spinal fluid analysis to identify antibodies that suggest any previous infection.

• Evoked potential test or nerve function test by measuring electrical activity on stimulants.

The complete cure for MS has yet to be found. However, there are now FDA-approved medications that help reduce the number of relapses of MS and are successful in delaying the progression of disability to some extent. In addition to this, there are multiple therapeutic, complementary and alternative therapies and technological advances that help people manage symptoms. Every year, there are advancements in multiple sclerosis treatment to manage symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. Multiple Sclerosis treatment options may vary depending on the severity of the condition.

• Medications to slow the progression of MS can include a combination of injectable, oral and infused medications.

• Practices like regular exercise, yoga, relaxation techniques, acupuncture, and physical therapy play an important role in relieving the patient.

• One can also make some minor lifestyle changes that may have a major impact on relief patterns. These changes include eating a nutritious diet, lowering stress levels, and being sufficiently mobile, including stretching.

• Some over-the-counter medicines are also included as part of the treatment. These may include pain relievers and stool softeners.

• People who have developed MS are increasingly inclined towards complementary therapies like psychiatric counselling, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.

• For severe MS attacks, plasma exchange treatment may also be implemented, wherein blood is removed from one person, and plasma is replaced and infused back into the person. However, this treatment has produced mixed results.

• Various research and advancement in stem cell therapy may help MS patients reverse the damage done and restore their functionality.

Typically, MS becomes severe over a period of time. But the severity and the timeline differ for each person suffering from it. For some people, there won't be much progression of the symptoms, but for some, the symptoms may become severe within a smaller period.

Living with MS is challenging, but it is rarely fatal. However, there may be complications from MS, like a chest infection, bladder infection etc., which may lead to death. Not all with MS face severe paralysis. Some reports show that around two-thirds of people who develop MS can walk. However, most would require assistance like crutches, a cane, a wheelchair etc.

As per studies, the average life expectancy for a person with MS is around 5 to 10 years lower than than any average person.

MS is a challenging disease to deal with. The condition is chronic, unpredictable, and progressive and requires a lot of effort, medications, and patience to maintain a good and healthy lifestyle. The costs related to diagnosis, treatment, and the expenses incurred to maintain a certain lifestyle are high. Moreover, the relapses can be sooner and quicker for many, which poses an additional financial threat to the family members and caretakers. Thus, a health insurance plan can act as a saviour.

In most cases, during the relapses, the person requires additional care and hospitalisation is a must. However, we can easily assume the elevated hospitalisation costs due to the current medical condition. Therefore, to safeguard your financial condition and protect your savings, it is essential to have a robust medical insurance plan in place.

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When you know the typical course Multiple Sclerosis would take and things that you can work on, you can get appropriate treatments and better control of your life. Working closely with your doctor and following the guidelines to the T can help you manage this disease better. An adequate health insurance plan can also act as financial support or security during testing times.