Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking the central nervous system (CNS), primarily damaging the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers. This damage disrupts the normal flow of electrical impulses along the nerves, leading to a spectrum of neurological symptoms. The course of MS is unpredictable and varies among individuals. It is classified into different types, such as relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), which is marked by clear episodes of exacerbation followed by periods of partial or complete remission, and progressive forms like primary progressive MS (PPMS) that show a gradual neurological decline without remission.

Diagnosis of MS involves multiple approaches, including clinical evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect lesions on the brain and spinal cord, and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for inflammatory markers. Symptoms of MS can range from mild, such as numbness in the limbs, to severe, including paralysis or loss of vision. The disease’s etiology is not fully understood but is thought to involve a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Although there is no cure for MS, treatments focus on managing symptoms, reducing the frequency of relapses, and slowing the disease's progression through medications and rehabilitative therapies.