Multiple sclerosis Fast diagnosis helps

Information on autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis on the occasion of World MS Day

05/29/2013

Around 130,000 people in Germany live with multiple sclerosis (MS). On the occasion of the World MS Day on May 29, the non-profit Hertie Foundation as the largest private sponsor of brain research in Germany in a recent press release informs about the autoimmune disease MS in general, dealing with people with their disease and the latest approaches to MS research.

In general, the chronic disease multiple sclerosis is still associated with many uncertainties, but also with myths and prejudices, explains the Hertie Foundation. „MS means muscle atrophy, is a mental illness and inevitably lead to a life in a wheelchair“, so the example mentioned in the press release for widespread misjudgments. In fact, MS is still an incurable disease affecting around 2.5 million people worldwide, but those affected can „Living comparatively well with MS today, working and growing old“, write the experts of the Hertie Foundation.

Neurological deficits in MS
The inflammatory, chronic disease of the central nervous system MS is due to an intrusion of the body's own immune cells into the brain or the destruction of the protective sheaths of the nerve fibers initiated by the immune cells there. The following inflammations in the central nervous system can lead to different neurological deficits such as feelings or numbness in the legs. Vision disorders are also more likely to result from MS. In addition, there are chronic fatigue, exhaustion, coordination problems and not infrequently mental complaints that can range to a depression. Characteristic of MS is according to the Hertie Foundation, „relapsing appearance of neurological deficits.“ The symptoms show up over a period of at least 24 hours and usually resolve over the course of weeks. Also lasting damage can be left behind. „Depending on the severity and duration of the episode, the symptoms may completely recede or leave behind a disability“, so the announcement of the foundation.

MS is not a classic hereditary disease
Autoimmune disease affects most people between the ages of 20 and 40, with women being twice as likely to be affected as men. However, the underlying causes of multiple sclerosis have not yet been conclusively clarified. Here it is assumed that various components contribute to the outbreak of MS, reports the Hertie Foundation. „There is probably some predisposition that, together with external factors such as viral infections, causes the disease.“ Also, a connection with external influences such as the climate is suspected since „the likelihood of developing MS is lower near the equator than in the southern and, most importantly, northern latitudes.“ MS is not a classic hereditary disease, although a global study from 2011 identified more than 50 gene variants that are more prevalent in people with MS.

Difficult diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
According to the Hertie Foundation, the diagnosis of a MS illness is often relatively difficult, since the different symptoms often disappear by themselves and can also occur in other diseases. For the purpose of the patients, however, the earliest possible diagnosis is of particular importance „the sooner a person is diagnosed with MS, the more favorable this can have on the further course of the disease.“ If multiple sclerosis is suspected, a thorough history should be followed by a comprehensive neurological examination, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

So far, MS remains incurable
If the diagnosis is firm, according to the Hertie Foundation, there are three possible ones „Therapeutic approaches: the (acute) push therapy, the preventive immune system intervening basic therapy and the treatment of lasting concomitant symptoms.“ Although no cure can be achieved on the basis of these treatment methods, it is the goal of the „Patients to enable a largely independent and pain-free life with the highest possible quality of life.“ Here medicine has made significant progress in recent years, and today there are well-tolerated drugs that equally relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Also, much hope is put into new active ingredients, of which at least two should be approved in Germany in 2013. However, according to the Hertie Foundation, one means of definitively combating MS is so far „still not in sight.“ (Fp)

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