Admin 
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, i.e. the central nervous system. There are publications indicating an increase in its prevalence in our country and worldwide. Although the causes are not fully understood, as a result of incorrect coding, the immune system identifies any part of the nervous system as foreign and attacks it. It is thought that the immune system is triggered for many reasons. These include dietary changes, intestinal flora imbalance, vitamin D deficiency, various infections, and chronic toxicity. As a result, MS manifests itself with different symptoms depending on the nerve attacked and destroyed by the immune system. MS, which manifests itself in attacks, can appear with different severity, frequency, and symptoms in each person.
The history of each MS patient differs from that of others. The disease generally manifests between the ages of 30 and 40. MS, which may be caused by genetic predisposition and viruses contracted in adulthood, is seen to affect intellectual, working women at a higher rate.
MS does not limit women’s ability to have children; in fact, attacks are observed to decrease during pregnancy. Differences may be seen between attacks of the disease. As the miscoding in the body continues, the immune system may target a different nerve after the first attack. Depending on the nerve damaged by the immune system, different areas of the central nervous system are affected in each attack.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) most commonly presents with symptoms such as perception problems, loss of strength, abnormal muscle spasms, movement difficulties, balance issues, speech disorders, trouble swallowing, visual impairments, excessive fatigue, acute or chronic pain, bladder and bowel problems, and depression.
To diagnose MS, it is important to know the patient’s medical history and perform a neurological examination. MRI and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid also provide significant contributions to the diagnosis of MS. Additionally, tests called evoked potentials—in which electrical stimuli are given to the arms and legs and the response times in related centers are measured—can help confirm the disease. The same methods can also test visual and auditory functions.
There is no complete cure for MS. Treatments are applied to reduce MS attacks and their effects. High-dose corticosteroid therapy is used to shorten the duration and severity of attacks. Because corticosteroids are given over a short period, they generally have minimal side effects. For patients who experience very frequent attacks, immunomodulatory medications are used to help reduce the number of attacks. Additionally, managing the progression of the disease, maintaining a proper diet, and reducing toxic load are important.
The nerve damage that occurs as a result of attacks can be repaired by the body over time. However, if attacks repeatedly occur in the same nerve, the body may not have enough time to repair the damaged area. In such cases, if regular and necessary treatment conditions are not met, MS can lead to significant disability and loss of function. There is no obstacle for MS patients to work. Depending on functional limitations, they should avoid jobs that require physical strength and shift-based work. Additionally, it is important to:
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Take daily walks and exercise
- Avoid excessive fatigue
- Be cautious against severe infections, especially in winter
- Avoid excessive heat
- Instead of hot environments such as hammams and saunas, taking a bath in cool water is one of the important points to pay attention to.
