Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially debilitating disease in which your body's immune system eats away at the protective sheath that covers your nerves. This interferes with the communication between your brain and the rest of your body. Ultimately, this may result in deterioration of the nerves themselves, a process that's not reversible.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary widely, depending on the location of affected nerve fibers. Multiple sclerosis signs and symptoms may include:

1) Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, which typically occurs on one side of your body at a time or the bottom half of your body

2) Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement (optic neuritis)

3) Double vision or blurring of vision

4) Tingling or pain in parts of your body

5) Electric-shock sensations that occur with certain head movements

6) Tremor, lack of coordination or unsteady gait

7) Fatigue

8) Dizziness


Causes

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, where the bodys immune system attacks its own tissues. In multiple sclerosis, this process destroys myelin, the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord.

Myelin can be compared to the insulation on electrical wires. When myelin is damaged, the messages that travel along that nerve may be slowed or blocked.

Doctors and researchers don't understand exactly why multiple sclerosis occurs in some people and not others. A combination of factors, ranging from genetics to childhood infections, may play a role.

Western Medicine Treatment

There is no cure for multiple sclerosis. Treatment typically focuses on combating the autoimmune response and managing the symptoms. Some people have such mild symptoms that no treatment is necessary.


Corticosteroids. The most common treatment for multiple sclerosis, corticosteroids reduce the inflammation that spikes during a relapse. Examples include oral prednisone and intravenous methylprednisolone.

Interferons. These types of drugs — such as Betaseron, Avonex and Rebif, appear to slow the rate at which multiple sclerosis symptoms worsen over time. But interferons can cause serious liver damage.

Glatiramer (Copaxone). Doctors believe that glatiramer works by blocking your immune system's attack on myelin. You must inject this drug subcutaneously once daily. Side effects may include flushing and shortness of breath after injection.

Natalizumab (Tysabri). This drug is designed to work by interfering with the movement of potentially damaging immune cells from your bloodstream to your brain and spinal cord. Tysabri is generally reserved for people who see no results from or can't tolerate other types of treatments. This is because Tysabri increases the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a brain infection that is usually fatal.

Mitoxantrone (Novantrone). This immunosuppressant drug can be harmful to the heart, so it's usually used only in people who have advanced multiple sclerosis.

Therapies. A physical or occupational therapist can teach you stretching and strengthening exercises, and show you how to use devices that can make it easier to perform daily tasks.

Adopted from Wei Laboratories, Inc.