What is Multiple Sclerosis?
For today’s blog, Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble, and Balmain take a look a multiple sclerosis, a chronic condition that affects more than 25 000 Australians.
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-term neurological disease involving the central nervous system (CNS), which is comprises of the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when the immune system attacks myelin (a protective layer around nerve fibres), which causes inflammation and scar tissue, or lesions. This ties into the name ‘sclerosis’, which is Greek word meaning scars. Due to this damage, makes it difficult for the brain to send signals to the rest of the body. The lesions occur within the CNS and depending on where they develop, this manifests into various symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
Multiple sclerosis symptoms are different across each person depending on where lesions develop in the CNS and to what degree. Hence, no two cases of MS are the same and the symptoms can often be highly variable and unpredictable. However, symptoms can generally be categories under 5 major health problems:
- Motor control– muscular spasmsand problems with weakness, coordination, balance and functioning of the arms and legs
- Fatigue– including heat sensitivityand MS fatigue.
- Other neurological symptoms– including vertigo, pins and needles, neuralgia and visual disturbances
- Continence care– including bladder incontinence and constipation
- Neuropsychological symptoms– including depression, cognitive difficulties and memory loss
What are the stats saying?
There are currently 2.8 million people living with MS worldwide, making it the most common acquired disease of the CNS. Multiple sclerosis is mostly diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 40. A staggering three quarters of all people with MS are women. The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in 2017 is 103.7 people with MS per 100 000, compared 95.5 in 2010. This increase reflects global trends and most likely reflects the increased survival of people with MS, which is a great sign.
How is it diagnosed?
A range of tests can be used to diagnose MS, including an MRI to detect lesions in the central nervous system, a physical examination to check reflexes and responses, blood tests, lumbar punctures and other types of tests to measure nerve activity. Sometimes, it can take years to reach a diagnosis because there is no single test for MS.
‘Treatment typically focuses on promoting recovery from attacks, slowing the progression of the disease and managing MS symptoms’
How can it be prevented or managed?
Since there is currently no cure for MS, treatment typically focuses on promoting recovery from attacks, slowing the progression of the disease and managing MS symptoms. Some people have such mild symptoms that no treatment is necessary. The current treatments for MS include various medications and therapies such as exercise physiology, physiotherapy, speech pathology and occupational therapy.
Contact Longevity Personal Training and Exercise Physiology Edgecliff, Pymble, Marrickville, Randwick, Drummoyne, Balmain, Bella Vista on 1300 964 002 to enquire today.
Written by Jackie Cheung
