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. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis can vary and can include numbness in the extremities, or they can become more severe and lead to paralysis or loss of vision. 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 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, the nerve impulses that travel to and from the brain and spinal cord can be altered. Which means that the transmission of these impulses can be interrupted; this can produce a variety of symptoms.
3.) The Cause of Multiple Sclerosis
While 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 further 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 can 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 does not run in families, people with a first-degree relative, parent, or sibling with MS have been shown to have an increased risk of developing the disease.
4.) Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Balance problems and weakness can develop when a person has MS. This can affect the way a person walks or moves and can decrease the individual’s quality of life as a result. 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 specialists in orthopedic devices and can provide you with a specific type of orthotic device called an AFO that will help you maintain your balance, stride, and walking speed. People are now also using a device called a 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.
