1.) What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS). It is considered to be a chronic and often disabling disease. The CNS includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Multiple sclerosis symptoms can vary and can include numbness in the extremities, or they can become more severe and lead to paralysis or vision loss. The severity and progress of this disease are unpredictable and will actually vary from person to person.
2.) MS, an autoimmune disease
What does this mean? – An autoimmune disease is when the body’s own defenses attack the nervous system. In other words, the body’s defenses will attack the myelin, which are the fatty substances that surround and protect the nerve fibers of the CNS. When these nerve fibers are damaged, the myelin forms scar tissue (also known as sclerosis). As a result of damaged or destroyed nerve fibers, nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord can be impaired. Which means that the transmission of these impulses can be interrupted; this can produce a variety of symptoms.
3.) The Cause of Multiple Sclerosis
Although the exact cause of this disease is not known, scientists currently believe that there is a combination of several factors that lead to MS. These factors include:
A.) Environmental
MS is known to occur more frequently in areas of the world that are farther from the equator. Studies have shown that when a person is born in a high risk area and then moves to a lower risk area, before the age of 15, the person may acquire the risk of the new area. – Some researchers attribute this to the amount of vitamin D a person will receive, as a result of living in each area, due to sunlight.
B.) Genetics
Although multiple sclerosis is not hereditary, people with a first-degree relative, parent or sibling with MS have been shown to increase their risk of developing the disease.
4.) Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
Balance problems and weakness can develop when a person has MS. This can affect the way a person walks or moves and, as a result, can lower the individual’s quality of life. Some treatment methods can help people who have these walking problems.
Walking Problems and Multiple Sclerosis – Treatment Options
When a person has walking problems that develop from MS, they may benefit from working with their local licensed orthopedist. These people are brace specialists and can provide you with a specific type of brace called an AFO that will help you maintain your balance, stride, and walking speed. People are now also using a device called WalkAide to help with foot drop due to MS. This is an FDA-approved device that is getting a lot of attention in the medical field as a way to help people walk if they have foot drop due to multiple sclerosis.
