Multiple Sclerosis Research Paper

Words: 611
Pages: 3

Multiple Sclerosis, also known as MS, is a disease that makes the immune system eat away at the protective covering of the nerves, which is called the MYELIN. MS is considered as an autoimmune disorder, which is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells. the cause of the disease isn't clear but there are several factors that can contribute to it; changes in the HLA-DRB1 gene is the strongest genetic risk factor, changes in the IL7R gene, and environmental factors, such as exposure to the Epstein- Barr Virus, low levels of vitamin D and smoking are some examples. The HLA, Human Leukocyte Antigen complex, gene helps the immune system to distinguish the body’s own proteins from proteins made by foreign invaders. The IL7R, …show more content…
Some of the early symptoms include, but not limited to, are tingling, numbness, spasms, fatigue, balance problems, cognitive problems, etc. should occur with no clear or unknown reasons. MS has multiple forms. Relapsing- remitting MS is the most common form, where 80% of those that has MS are affected by this form. Secondary- progressive MS is the next most common, then primary- progressive, and lastly progressive- relapsing. Relapsing- remitting is characterized by attacks (relapse) then follows a recovery period (remission) which can either partially or completely recover from the attacks, until the next relapse or phase. Secondary- progressive usually occurs after RRMS, where the symptoms progress more steadily, with or without attacks, which is characterized by nerve damage or loss. Primary- progressive MS is characterized by a steadily worsening of the neurological functions, without any distinct relapses or remissions. PPMS involves much less inflammations than the other forms but it causes more lesions in the spinal cord than the brain, making it more difficult to diagnose and treat than other forms. Progressive- relapsing MS is the least common, and is like PPMS at the initial part until the first attack, then becomes diagnosed as PRMS. Females are 2-3 times more likely to develop MS than males, except in PPMS where the chance is equivalent for …show more content…
Some things that can help treat MS are corticosteroids and plasma exchanged. Corticosteroids are a class of chemicals that includes the steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates as well as the synthetic analogues of these hormones. Plasma exchange is a patient procedure involving the separation and removal of the plasma in the blood and replaced with a prescribed replacement fluid. PPMS has no effective or FDA approved medicine or procedures to treat it. RRMS has 12 FDA approved medication, Avonex, Aubagio, and Lemtrada, which are injection, oral, and infused (respectively). SPMS has interferon beta medication and some other medications. PRMS has interferon beta medication as well and