Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system including the brain and spinal cord. In MS, certain cells in the immune system become activated and multiply before traveling through the blood vessels and into the central nervous system, where they attack the nerves. Once inside the central nervous system, these cells trigger a process involving other cells to mount an auto immune attack on the protective covering or myelin sheath around the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This interruption of signaling leads to disruption of normal body functions causing disability.

MS is one of the most common neurological diseases in younger adults. About 2 million people worldwide are affected with MS. In general, MS tends to affect patients between the ages of 20 to 50. MS is two to three times more common in women than in men. Approximately 400,000 people in the United States are affected with the disease.

There are four patterns of MS disease progression that patients with MS may experience. Depending upon the course of symptoms, patients will fit into one of these patterns:

• 85% of patients have Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS);
• 50% of RRMS patients develop into Secondary Progressive MS
• 10% of patients have Primary Progressive MS
• 5% have Progressive Relapsing MS

With remission, there may be partial or complete recovery from symptoms. During remission, a person can be stable, experience an increase in disability or both. Most patients with RRMS will have a gradual increase in disability over time.

• Partial or complete loss of vision in one eye
• Numbness of weakness on one side of your body or in your legs
• Tremors
• Muscle spasms
• Unsteady gait
• Lack of coordination
• Buzzing or electrical shock sensation in the head or neck
• Slurring of speech
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Frequency or urgency of urination or bowels

You can rely on the health professionals at St Luke’s MS Center for compassionate care delivered by the multi-disciplinary team this condition requires. They will evaluate your symptoms for diagnosis and provide you with treatment that will help to address your symptoms while allowing you the best quality of life.

The causes of MS are still unknown. Researchers think it maybe caused by environmental factors like viral infections, genetics or combination of both. MS is more common in places that are farther away from the equator.

In addition to immunomodulary medications, exercise can help you manage your symptoms by improving your cardiovascular and muscle strength.

At St Luke’s MS Center, physical therapists can provide you with exercises to improve balance, coordination, strength and the way you walk. Occupational therapists may recommend changes in your home that will make it safer and can assess whether you would benefit from assistive devices such as handrails in your shower or tub. If you are slurring your speech or otherwise finding it difficult to communicate, St Luke’s MS Center speech therapists can help you with the appropriate exercises.

Individual and group programs are available not only to you, but also to your family, caregivers and the community. St Luke’s MS Center also has a dedicated MS Social Worker to help with patient and family needs throughout the course of the disease.

You’ll find tools for the newly diagnosed, as well as coping skills for those in whom the disease is established. Importantly, St. Luke’s MS Center offers continuing medical education for the members of its team and for community medical personnel, so you know that the professionals around you have access to the latest information and tools.