MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS)

MS is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, or the central nervous system. There are reports indicating an increasing prevalence in our country and worldwide. While the exact causes are unknown, this miscoding causes the immune system to identify any part of the nervous system as foreign and fight against it. It is believed that the immune system is stimulated for a variety of reasons. Among these are changes in diet, intestinal flora disorders, vitamin D deficiency, various infections, and chronic toxicity. Consequently, MS manifests differently depending on the nerves the immune system attacks and damages. MS manifests in attacks, and the severity, frequency, and symptoms vary from person to person.

The story of each MS patient is different. The disease typically appears between the ages of 30 and 40. While MS can be caused by genetic predisposition or viruses acquired during adulthood, it appears to be more prevalent in intellectual and working-age women.

MS does not restrict women’s ability to have children; in fact, attacks are observed to decrease during pregnancy. Differences can occur between attacks. Because the body continues to miscode, the immune system may target a different nerve after the first attack. Each attack affects a different part of the central nervous system, depending on the nerve the immune system has damaged.

MS most commonly presents symptoms such as perception problems, loss of strength, abnormal muscle spasms, movement problems, balance difficulties, speech disorders, difficulty swallowing, visual disturbances, extreme fatigue, acute or chronic pain, bladder and intestinal problems, and depression.

To diagnose MS, a thorough history and neurological examination are crucial. MRI and cerebrospinal fluid analysis also contribute significantly to the diagnosis of MS. Additionally, evoked responses, also known as electrical stimulation of the arms and legs, can be used to assess the perception time in the relevant centers. Visual and auditory functions can also be tested using the same methods.

There is no cure for the disease. Treatments are available to reduce MS relapses and their effects. High-dose cortisone therapy is used to reduce the duration and impact of relapses. Because cortisone is administered over a short period of time, it has no significant side effects on human health. Patients experiencing frequent relapses are treated with immunomodulatory medications to reduce the number of relapses. Furthermore, managing the course of the disease, maintaining a healthy diet, and reducing toxicity are important.

The body can repair the damaged and damaged nerve structure caused by attacks over time. If attacks occur repeatedly in the same nerve, the body may not have time to repair the damaged area. In these cases, if regular and necessary treatment is not provided, MS can cause numerous disabilities and loss of function. There is no obstacle to working for MS patients. Due to functional loss, physically demanding jobs and shift work should be avoided. In addition:

Eating healthy

Doing daily walks and exercises

Avoiding excessive fatigue

Be careful against serious infections that can occur especially in winter months.

Avoiding extreme heat

Taking a bath in cool water instead of hot environments such as Turkish baths and saunas is among the points that should be taken into consideration.