A Mystery

Hello everyone. It's time for a research blog.
My blog is on something very personal to me; multiple sclerosis.

As an overview, multiple sclerosis also known as MS is an autoimmune disease which is where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy tissue. MS specifically affects the brain and the spinal cord ("Autoimmune Disorders"). Therefore, It interferes with the communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Ultimately, this may result in deterioration of the nerves themselves, a process that's not reversible (Multiple Sclerosis).

As I mentioned before, this illness is very personal to me. The reason this is, is because my Grandma has it. She was diagnosed with it 19 years ago. In an interview with her, she stated that the symptoms to this disease are very hard to detect since it masks a lot of other diseases as well as it affects different people in different ways. When she had her first attack, it seemed as if she had actually had a stroke. This is often the case due to the fact that MS is like "plaque" on the brain that affects many muscles which may seem like a stroke (Thompson, Linda). Other results of multiple sclerosis are muscular symptoms, bowel and bladder symptoms, eye symptoms, speech symptoms, sexual symptoms, numbness, tingling, pain, as well as many other symptoms ("Autoimmune Disorders").

Although multiple sclerosis can occur at any age, it most often begins in people between the ages of 20 and 40. Women are more likely to develop multiple sclerosis than are men (Multiple Sclerosis). 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 (Multiple Sclerosis).

The treatments for this illness range greatly. Since there is no known cures for multiple sclerosis at this time, there are things that can help with the different symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. There are many medications that are taken on a long term basis to help with the symptoms, progression, and severity of the disease. Other things such as different types of therapy help with the disease as well ("Autoimmune Disorders"). There are other treatments that are specialized to different symptoms. Some ways to treat muscle soreness is through vitamins, water intake, and exercise (Castleman, Michael). Ways to treat the muscle spasms themselves are through things such as ice, vitamins, and stretching (Gottlieb, Bill). There are numerous other things such as the afore mentioned that can also treat other symptoms of MS.

In order to get a diagnosis, a Neurologist reviews cat-scans and MRI scans that reveal MS ("Autoimmune Disorders"). The prognosis for Multiple Sclerosis is different for every patient due to the fact that the disease differs from person to person. Some people deteriorate faster than others and some never get sever symptoms (Thompson, Linda).

As a summing up, multiple sclerosis affects everyone in different ways, there is no known cure for this life changing disease, and there are treatments for the symptoms just not for the disease itself.

I also just want to add that all of my sources are very valuable and creditable. I used different medical websites, medical books, and I interviewed a sufferer of Multiple Sclerosis as well. I personally believe that these are some of the best sources on this topic.

Bibliography:

"Autoimmune Disorders." Google Health. Web. 08 Mar. 2010. .

Castleman, Michael. Bottom Line's Complete Book of Integrated Health Solutions. Stamford: Boardroom Inc, 2000. Print.

Gottlieb, Bill. Alternative Cures: the Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems. Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale, 2000. Print.

"Multiple Sclerosis - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic Medical Information and Tools for Healthy Living - MayoClinic.com. Web. 07 Mar. 2010.

Thompson, Linda. Personal interview. 5 Mar. 2010.