Multiple Sclerosis – KidsHealth
Posted: August 31, 2015 at 12:41 pm
You probably know your nerves carry messages around your body. So if you stub your toe, your nerves deliver the message to your brain that says "Ouch!" Nerves also send signals that tell your muscles what to do when you want to walk and run.
In someone who has multiple sclerosis (MS), there are roadblocks in the pathways so the messages don't get to the brain like they should.
That leads to problems like:
MS is mostly a disease that adults get and is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. It is more common in women than men.
If you know someone who has MS, you probably want to know what the disease will be like for them. The disease does tend to get slowly worse over time, but most people with MS have mild symptoms and live to be as old as people without MS.
Let's talk about what's causing those roadblocks for the signals. If a person has MS, the immune system which usually fights germs attacks nerves in the brain and spinal cord. It damages the layer of tissue, called myelin, which surrounds and protects the nerves.
When myelin becomes damaged, scars develop. The word sclerosis comes from the Greek word for scarring or hardening. And those scars can act like stones in the road, creating a bumpy ride for signals as they travel between the brain and body.
When those signals get slowed down or blocked, people with MS feel one or more symptoms, such as vision problems or feeling unsteady on their feet. The symptoms will vary depending on what nerves are affected.
There are four different categories of MS:
MS is rare in kids. About 5% of cases of MS are diagnosed in children. MS in kids tends to progress more slowly than MS diagnosed in adults.
Nobody knows exactly why a person gets multiple sclerosis. It is not contagious, so you can't catch it from someone who has it. And it's not hereditary. That means the disease is not passed on directly from one generation to the next, like eye color.
But your chances of developing MS are greater if a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, has it. Scientists are still studying why.
When people begin to experience what could be early signs of MS, such as vision or balance problems, doctors will take a careful history and do a complete physical exam. Since there is no one test that can determine if a person has MS, the doctor may order several tests, including blood tests, cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) tests, and brain scans.
A brain MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging test, lets a doctor check for evidence of scars in the brain and spinal cord by taking detailed pictures of these body areas.
Another frequent stop on the way to an MS diagnosis is a series of evoked potentials (EP) tests, which test the time it takes for nerves to respond. If the response time is slow, the chances are greater that there's damage along the nerve pathways.
Currently, there is no known cure for multiple sclerosis, but medicines can help control symptoms. When a flare-up or relapse happens, steroids lessen inflammation and help speed up recovery. Several medicines can be given to reduce the number of relapses and slow down progression of the disease.
People with MS can take steps to manage symptoms, including physical and occupational therapy. Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are also important when it comes to overall health and well-being for people living with MS.
If someone you love has MS, you can be supportive in lots of ways. The person might appreciate some help with stuff like opening doors. If you live with this person, it's great to be quiet when he or she is resting.
As you get older, you might be able to help with other stuff, like getting groceries or doing other stuff around the house. But most of all, the person will like knowing that you're understanding and ready to help.
Reviewed by: Rupal Christine Gupta, MD Date reviewed: January 2015
More here:
Multiple Sclerosis - KidsHealth
- Most Common Multiple Sclerosis Treatments - March 21st, 2018
- Pittsburgh PA Neurologist Doctors - Multiple Sclerosis (MS ... - October 20th, 2015
- Buffalo NY Neurologist Doctors - Multiple Sclerosis (MS ... - October 7th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis - MidMichigan Health - September 27th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis | University of Michigan Health System - September 27th, 2015
- Multiple sclerosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - September 15th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis News -- ScienceDaily - September 10th, 2015
- Multiple sclerosis signs and symptoms - Wikipedia, the ... - September 10th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis Pictures: MS Brain Lesions, Symptoms ... - September 6th, 2015
- Multiple sclerosis - MedlinePlus - September 5th, 2015
- Low Vitamin D Tied to Multiple Sclerosis - August 31st, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis | GreenMedInfo | Disease | Natural Medicine - August 31st, 2015
- All About Multiple Sclerosis : MS news and information on ... - August 29th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Check Your Symptoms and Signs - August 20th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis Causes, Symptoms, Treatment - When to ... - August 20th, 2015
- 13 Early Signs & Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis - August 20th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Overview - HealthCommunities.com - August 20th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis, Causes, Tests, Diagnosis & Treatment - August 20th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis | Overview - August 20th, 2015
- multiple sclerosis (MS) | pathology | Britannica.com - August 20th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis News Topix - August 20th, 2015
- Multiple sclerosis | University of Maryland Medical Center - August 20th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis - Lab Tests Online - August 20th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments and ... - August 20th, 2015
- Multiple sclerosis - Genetics Home Reference - August 20th, 2015
- Medical Xpress - multiple sclerosis - August 20th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis - August 20th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis - Symptoms, Causes, Treatments - July 12th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis. Medical information about MS | Patient - June 13th, 2015
- Stem Cell Treatment #5 for Multiple Sclerosis - Video - April 30th, 2015
- Experimental multiple sclerosis therapy stops disease in its tracks - April 13th, 2015
- Multiple sclerosis treatment on the cards for Ilfracombe mother - March 25th, 2015
- Stemedix Patient Experience - Debra F. Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) - Video - March 23rd, 2015
- Caldwell resident fighting battle with multiple sclerosis - March 13th, 2015
- 21-year-old MS sufferer: 'I feel like my life is on hold' - March 13th, 2015
- From chick to bedside: Removing the Wnt barrier - March 5th, 2015
- Woman swears by Multiple Sclerosis remedy - February 25th, 2015
- Stem Cell Transplants May Work Better than Existing Drug for Severe Multiple Sclerosis - February 12th, 2015
- Stem cells reduce MS brain damage - February 12th, 2015
- New MS Treatment - Big Hope from Little Cells - Video - January 24th, 2015
- Multiple Sclerosis Stem Cell Treatment - Patient Testimonial - Video - January 23rd, 2015
- Researchers Reduce MS Disability With Stem Cells - January 21st, 2015
- Stem cell treatment for Multiple Sclerosis - Case study - Video - January 5th, 2015
- Stopping Multiple Sclerosis with Stem Cell Transplants - December 30th, 2014
- Report on remission in patients with MS three years after stem cell transplant - December 30th, 2014
- Hunt after cure for MS disease - December 22nd, 2014
- Clinical Trials for MS and Rheumatoid Arthritis with Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells - Video - November 26th, 2014
- Stem Cell Research & Therapy Explained - From MS to Spinal Injury - Video - November 5th, 2014
- Stem Cell Treatment | Multiple Sclerosis | www.stemrx.in - Video - October 21st, 2014
- Stem Cell Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis - Video - September 17th, 2014
- hES-MSC treat multiple sclerosis mouse - Video - June 6th, 2014
- New stem cells may help in battling multiple sclerosis - June 6th, 2014
- Multiple Sclerosis Treatment through Stem Cells - Video - May 21st, 2014
- Stem cell treatment Multiple Sclerosis - Video - May 17th, 2014
- Advancing Toward Multiple Sclerosis Therapies Using Stem Cells - Video - May 16th, 2014
- Stem Cell Treatment For MS Working Wonders - Video - April 24th, 2014