An Understanding of Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis, or MS as it is commonly referred to, affects more than one million people worldwide and approximately 300,000 in the United States. It is a potentially debilitating disease that impacts the central nervous system. Symptoms often appear between the ages of 20 and 40, and women are twice as likely to be affected as men. It is considered by many to be an autoimmune disease.
Risk factors may involve heredity and geographic and environmental factors. MS is more common in individuals of Northern European descent, and it is suspected to be triggered by several viruses and bacteria. For unsubstantiated reasons, MS is more common in countries with temperate climates including Europe, northern United States, southern Canada and southeastern Australia.
Symptoms may include tremor, unsteady gait, fatigue, numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, vision issues like double or blurred vision, dizziness and/or electric-shock sensations brought about with certain head movements. Treatment may vary based on the level of the disease. Beta Interferons, which are genetically made copies of proteins that occur naturally in the body, may be used to address issues like fatigue, muscle spasms, inflammation of nerve tissues and other symptoms, but they may cause side effects.
There are some treatments in addition to medications that may be helpful. They include physical and occupational therapy, plasma exchange which may help to reduce the activity of the destructive factors in the immune system, rest, exercise, a well-balanced diet, and avoidance of extreme heat which may cause severe muscle weakness.
Helping an individual with MS can be physically and mentally exhausting. In dealing with these circumstances, in-home companion care can be of major assistance.
Gerri Tyber, Operations Manager
Barton Home Care