MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction

What is Multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system, particularly the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. It alters the transmission of nerve impulses and can manifest as symptoms vary greatly: a member of numbness, blurred vision, sensations of electric shock in a limb or back, movement disorders, etc.

Most often, multiple sclerosis relapsing during which, symptoms return or new symptoms arises. After a few years, outbreaks leave sequelae (permanent symptoms) which can become very disabling. The disease can indeed affect many functions: the control of movement, sensory perception, memory, speech, etc.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of autoimmune chronic, the severity and development varies widely. It first described in 1868 by French neurologist Jean Martin Charcot.

The disease characterized by reactions of inflammation that result in places the destruction of myelin (demyelization). Myelin is a sheath that surrounds nerve fibers. (Kalb, 2002)

Its role is to protect the fibers and accelerate the transmission of nerve impulses or messages. The immune system of people destroys myelin in considering it as foreign to the body (autoimmune reaction). Thus, in some parts of the nervous system, impulses are slower or completely blocked, causing various symptoms. Outside the attacks, inflammation disappears and myelin reform in part around the fibers, causing partial or complete regression of symptoms. However, in cases of repeated and prolonged demyelization, neurons destroyed permanently. This then causes a permanent disability.

Prevalence

It estimated that on average one in 1000 diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but this prevalence varies by country. Northern countries affected than countries near the equator. In Canada, the rate would be among the highest in the world (1 / 500), which makes the chronic neurological disease most common among young adults. According to estimates, between 55,000 and 75,000 Canadians have MS. Is still unexplained, there are 2 times more as women than men, who are suffering from multiple sclerosis. The disease diagnosed mostly in people aged 20 to 40 years, but it can also, in rare cases affect children (less than 5% of cases). (Brassington, 2008)

Causes

Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease that appears inexplicably. The researchers believe it occurs in the presence of a combination of environmental factors in individuals with hereditary predisposition to disease (see Sections People at Risk and Risk Factors). A viral infection contracted during childhood, such as measles virus or the Epstein-Barr virus, may be involved. A deficiency of vitamin D could also contribute to the outbreak of the disease. The predisposing genetic factors, they are also numerous. More than 20 genes involved have been identifying in recent years.

Diagnostic

There is no test to diagnose with certainty multiple sclerosis. Moreover, the diagnostic errors are frequent, because many diseases can be manifest by symptoms resembling those of multiple sclerosis. (Fillipi, 2003)

In general, diagnosis is based on the medical examination (medical history, signs and symptoms) and an MRI to visualize the number and location of lesions of ...