By Kathryn Wolff
Campus Health Student Leader
March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. It's an opportunity to raise awareness and dedicate time to gain a better understanding of this disease.
MS is characterized by inflammation and loss of oligodendrocytes, specialized cells in the brain and spinal cord that produce myelin, a fatty substance that insulates the nerves so neurons can transport impulses quickly. With this disorder, the immune system mistakenly attacks its oligodendrocytes. Not only does this affect oligodendrocytes, but it also can affect neuron cell bodies, and if the disease progresses to the cerebral cortex, it will begin to shrink the outermost layer of the brain and possibly cause neurodegenerative disorders.
When symptoms begin to manifest, typically between 15 to 50 years old, patients experience visual changes because of optic neuritis. The optic nerve is the only cranial nerve also myelinated by oligodendrocytes. This inflammation will cause damage over time.
MS can vary drastically from person to person, depending on which neurons are affected. Symptoms usually come and go for long stretches of time, and people with this condition have a normal life expectancy.
The population that is most likely to be affected by MS are middle-aged white women. Women and Caucasians have a higher chance of expressing symptoms than men and any other ethnic group.
There is overwhelming evidence that there is a tie between infectious mononucleosis caused by an Epstein-Barr virus infection and MS. Numerous studies have shown that the virus is a leading trigger for MS.
Another common risk factor is if a parent or sibling has a previous MS diagnosis, even though the condition is not particularly an inherited disorder.
Recent studies have shown that people who spend more time in the sun tend to have less chance of an MS diagnosis. The results suggest that those who have increased levels of vitamin D, either from the sun or not, tend to not only get MS relatively less often, but if they do, their symptoms are less severe with less relapses.
Common with most diseases, smoking can increase chances of an MS diagnosis and worsen symptoms, with patients typically experiencing brain lesions and shrinkage.
Being aware of symptoms is important, so early diagnosis can be made in an individual or their loved ones. Symptoms can be difficult to realize, since they vary drastically, and patients may toggle between periods of complete or partial improvement and worsening symptoms. If a person is experiencing persistent neurological changes, especially with vision problems, talking to a health care professional is the first step toward resolution and possible MS diagnosis.
Phoenix offers plenty of events to connect community and spread awareness. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Arizona hosts a walk for MS each year, this year March 14 at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, and if walking is not enough, there is a bike ride in the fall also hosted by this society.
Arizona-based groups, such as Foothills Neurology, are hubs for MS and other neurodegenerative disorders. They offer the Valley services, such as clinical trials for MS and advanced, comprehensive care for those affected. Phoenix residents experiencing MS also can be connected to other patients through the National MS society, which hosts support groups and helps build community around their disease.
Finally, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers' annual meetings include expert-led informational sessions that focus on clinical care, research being done and what is to come.
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References
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (n.d.). Multiple sclerosis (MS). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Information
