Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the myelin sheaths surrounding the nerve fibers (demyelination), involving the white matter in the central nervous system (CNS), with exacerbation and well-being. It can affect almost all parts of the CNS.
MS is a controllable disease. It is important that the controls are performed timely for the right treatment at the right time.
.jpg)
MS Prevalence
MS is usually a disease of young ages. It is mostly seen around 20-30 years of age. It can rarely be seen after the age of 20 and after 60 years. Women are 2-3 times more likely than men. South and northern hemisphere between 45 and 65 degrees latitude in the region between the highest frequency (over 100 per thousand) shows the highest. Our country is located in this area geography. Although this suggests that MS is directly related to climate and geography, it is not the only factor. Because there are significant prevalence differences among ethnic groups. This indicates a genetic tendency in the disease.The cause of the disease is not yet known. However, genetic predisposition, autoimmune mechanisms and viral infections may also play a role. There are scientific data showing a genetic trend in the disease. The likelihood of occurrence in MS patients is significantly different from the normal population. However, this does not indicate that MS is a genetic disease. It should only be considered as a predisposition.
MS can manifest with different symptoms
- One arm, one leg, weakness of arms and legs on both sides of the body or both arms and legs
- Involuntary movements such as muscle spasm, muscle casts
- Symptoms related to the senses: Touch or loss of sensation or pain in one part of the body; increased sensation of pain or touch; tingling pinching, numbness
- Eye and vision-related symptoms: loss of visual acuity in one or two eyes, blurred vision, loss of visual field, double vision
- Other complaints: Imbalance, urinary difficulties (incontinence, retention), sexual dysfunction, psychic diseases (depression, mania), memory and attention disorders, symptoms such as fatigue
- Trigeminal neuralgia is relatively common among MS patients. MS is characterized by attacks and remissions of different systems. The diagnosis of MS is made in the light of history and neurological findings. The presence of at least two distinct regions of intermittent episodes provides the diagnosis of MS. Brain MRI is the most important method in the diagnosis of MS. The disease can be diagnosed with an accuracy of over 95%. Lumbar puncture (belly cerebrospinal fluid removal) and cerebrospinal fluid may be helpful in diagnosis.
MS TYPES
- MS (Relapsing-remiting MS) with recurrent attacks: The most common and most common type. It starts in the 20-30s. The attacks can be followed as periods of recovery following episodes and episodic periods. The frequency of attacks may vary from person to person.
- Progressive MS after attacks (secondary progressive MS): There is no complete recovery due to attacks and progressive progression of neurological findings is progressive.
- Progressive MS: The MS is in a slow but continuous progressive form from the onset of the disease.
- Progressive MS (Relapsing Progressive MS): It is characterized by unresponsive attacks.
- Benign MS: These patients have very long attacks and complete recovery. Even 10 years after the onset of the disease, patients may still be nauseous.
- Apart from these disease types, there are different forms of MS. These are MS (spinal MS), neuromyelitis optica (Devic's disease) and Marburg variants with single and large lesion with spinal cord involvement. When diagnosing MS, differential diagnosis of rheumatic diseases such as infectious (HIV, syphilis, Lyme disease), demyelinating-dismantling diseases and vasculitis should be made.