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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system. Demyelination occurs with inflammation of the nerve cells. Demyelination refers to the destruction of the myelin sheath, the outer protective surface of the cell that also helps communication. The demyelination is by the body’s own immune system. There is also scarring of the neurons. The exact cause of MS is not known, although a connection to a virus has been speculated, specifically exposure to a latent virus that may not cause an infection but an immune response. It is also under consideration that dysbiosis of the bowel by fungal infections, such as in Candida overgrowth syndrome, can contribute to MS. Another possible cause is geographic location and climate, as people who live in cloudy temperate environments tend to get MS more. Some researchers have also found a link between heavy metals, organic solvents and insecticides and MS. A genetic susceptibility exists for MS, but it is not passed down in a usual fashion, which is from parent to child. Siblings of affected individuals have a lifetime risk of 2 to 5%, whereas the risk to parents or children of affected individuals is somewhat lower. However in identical twins the risk can increase to 25-30 %. In western societies, MS is second only to trauma as a cause of neurological disability in early to middle adulthood. MS is approximately twice as common in women as in men. The age of onset is typically between 20 and 40 years (slightly later in men than in women). Rarely, it can begin as early as 2 years of age or as late as the eighth decade. Symptoms of MS Symptoms may be severe or seem so trivial that a patient may not seek medical attention for months or years. Most people will present with a variant that is called relapsing/remitting MS (RRMS), where a person may experience attacks that last a few days with weeks of recovery in between. Common symptoms include: weakness of the limbs that present as loss of strength or coordination, fatigue, or a disturbance in walking. When the weakness is induced by exercise it is a characteristic symptom of MS. There may also be spontaneous and movement-induced muscle spasms of the limbs. The extremities may feel both paresthesias (e.g., tingling, prickling sensations, formications, "pins and needles," or painful burning) and hypesthesia (e.g., reduced sensation, numbness or a "dead" feeling). Problems with vision may occur with double vision, dimness, a decreased colour perception or desaturation of the colour field. The symptoms may be mild or may progress to severe visual loss. Facial weakness may also present, as well as dizziness and vertigo. Bladder and bowel problems can arise with urinary frequency, urgency, increased urination at night, and uncontrolled bladder emptying. Constipation can occur. Sexual dysfunction is also common in MS. The most common
symptoms, fatigue, is experienced by 90% of patients and is moderate
or severe in half. It is the most common reason for work- related
disability. Depression is experienced by 50 to 60% of patients.
Problems with thinking are somewhat common, and include memory loss,
impaired attention or a short attention span, difficulties in problem
solving, and problems shifting between mental tasks. Diagnosis and Pharmaceutical Interventions There is no definitive diagnostic test for MS. Most diagnosis is indirect and based on clinical signs and symptoms. A magnetic resonance image (MRI) is the most sensitive imaging technique, which may show plaques in neural tissue. Pharmaceutical
Medications Another form of
therapy that may help with the long term progression of the disease Lifestyle and Dietary Modifications The amount and type of fat eaten may affect both the likelihood of healthy people getting the disease and the outcome of the disease for those already diagnosed with MS. For many years, the leading researcher linking dietary fat to MS risk and progression has been Dr. Roy Swank, the founder of the Swank diet. The Swank diet is fairly low fat but the fat that is allowed is high in the polyunsaturated fats, omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids and adds 5 grams of cod liver oil. It consists of no more than 15 grams of saturated fat per day and recommends a minimum of 20 grams unsaturated fat which must not exceed 50 grams daily. Studies have shown that people who begin to follow the low-fat diet early in the disease do better than those who change their eating habits after the disease had progressed, and they live longer. There is evidence that exposure to organic solvents, insecticides, and X-rays may cause or aggravate MS. This may explain why clusters of multiple sclerosis cases occasionally occur in certain geographical areas or even in work sites. Exposure to toxins like mercury may also have a role in the pathogenesis. For individuals at risk detoxification therapy is advised. Nicotine has been
found to impair movement of the arms in people with MS. As cigarette
smoking is a risk factor in many other diseases it is advised that
smokers with MS should quit smoking. Nutritional Factors Shown to be Beneficial Vitamin
D Omega
3 fish oils Vitamin
E Alpha Lipoic
acid Vitamin
B12 Phosphatidylserine Ginkgo biloba Recommended NaturalMeds Products for Multiple Sclerosis Brain
Sustain Powder Neuroactives Vitamin
B12 1000 mcg DHA
450 mg Vitamin
E Mixed tocopherols 400 IUs Alpha-
Lipoic acid 100 mg Vitamin
D 1000 IU |
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