March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
Nearly 1 million people in the US are living with MS, according to a 2019 study conducted by the National MS Society. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system during which there is a disruption of the flow of information between the brain and the body.
Causes
The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown. It is considered an immune mediated disease in which the body’s immune system destroys myelin. Myelin is the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. When myelin is damaged and the nerve fiber is exposed, the messages that travel along that nerve fiber may be slowed or blocked.
Risk Factors
These factors may increase your risk of developing multiple sclerosis:
- Age. MS can occur at any age, but onset usually occurs around 20 and 40 years of age. However, younger and older people can be affected.
- Sex. Women are more than 2 to 3 times as likely as men are to have relapsing-remitting MS.
- Family history
- Certain infections. A variety of viruses have been linked to MS, including Epstein-Barr, the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis.
- Race. Caucasian people, particularly those of Northern European descent, are at highest risk of developing MS. People of Asian, African or Native American descent have the lowest risk.
- Climate- MS is far more common in countries with temperate climates (Canada, the northern United States, New Zealand, southeastern Australia and Europe)
- Vitamin D- Low levels of vitamin D and low exposure to sunlight
- Genes- A gene on chromosome 6p21 has been found to be associated with MS
- Obesity- There may be a correlation between female childhood and adolescent obesity with MS
- Certain autoimmune diseases. Slightly higher risk of developing MS with a presence of other autoimmune disorders such as thyroid disease, pernicious anemia, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
- Smoking Smokers who experience an initial symptom that may signal MS are more likely than nonsmokers to develop a second event that confirms relapsing-remitting MS.
Types
- Clinically Isolated Syndrome- person has symptoms for 24 hours, may develop into relapsing/remitting MS if brain lesions are present in an MRI
- Relapsing-Remitting MS- most common form, with attacks of new or increasing symptoms
- Followed by partial or complete remission
- Can be not active/active, not worsening/worsening
- Secondary Progressive MS
- Follows the initial relapsing-remitting course in which neurologic function worsens over time
- Can be not active/active, without progression/with progression
- Primary Progressive MS
- Neurologic function worsens as soon as symptoms appear, without relapses or remissions
- Can be not active/active, without progression/with progression
Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis signs and symptoms may differ greatly from person to person and over the course of the disease depending on the location of affected nerve fibers.
Common symptoms include:
- Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of your body at a time
- Tingling
- Electric-shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward (Lhermitte sign)
- Lack of coordination
- Unsteady gait or inability to walk
- Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement
- Prolonged double vision
- Blurry vision
- Vertigo
- Problems with sexual, bowel and bladder function
- Fatigue
- Slurred speech
- Cognitive problems
- Mood disturbances
Physical Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis
Physical therapy can be a useful tool in treating bladder, bowel, and/or sexual dysfunction as a result from MS. At Body Harmony Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will evaluate and treat your issues using a variety of interventions including manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, myofascial release techniques, stretching, biofeedback, postural training, and breathing techniques. We will also educate you so you have a better understanding of this condition which may improve self management skills.
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