Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is an immune-mediated progression in which an atypical reaction of the body’s immune system is charged against the central nervous system (The National Multiple Sclerosis Society). The central nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The antigen — or object the immune cells are triggered to attack — remains unidentified, which is why MS is regarded by many specialist to be "immune-mediated" instead of "autoimmune." The immune system of an individual targets myelin- the fatty material that encompasses and protects the nerve fibers. The marred myelin creates scar tissue; this is where the disease gets its name. When any part of the myelin or nerve fiber is marred, nerve signals sent
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Still scientists are actively studying infectious factors that may contribute to causing MS. Insight of what initiates MS will speed the process of discovering more effective ways to treat, and eventually cure, the disease. Insight on the disease could even prevent MS from occurring to begin with. Some of the factors that may contribute to MS are immunologic factors, environmental factors, infectious factors, and genetic factors.
Immunologic Factors
Multiple Sclerosis is an atypical immune-mediated response that attacks the myelin around nerve fibers in the central nervous system. Recently, scientists have been able to recognize which immune cells are launching the attack, some of the aspects that cause them to attack, and some of the locations on the attacking cells that appear to be drawn to the myelin. Continuing efforts to learn more about the immune-mediated process in MS — what activates it, how it functions, and how to combat it — are shedding more light onto the causes of MS (The National Multiple Sclerosis …show more content…
Common symptoms of multiple sclerosis that someone may experience are numbness or tingling, fatigue, issues with balance, vision changes, and muscle weakness in the appendicular skeleton (Ciccarelli and White 49). Individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis typically face unusual sensations, such as burning, itching, or stabbing pains. Medications and rehabilitation treatments are known to slow down the progression of the disease. Multiple sclerosis can also go into relapses. These relapses can last for a few years, or a lifetime. Although there are treatments for multiple sclerosis, there is not an actual cure.
Data
Statistics in the United States. Over 400,000 people in the United States, and around 2.5 million people around the world, have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Around two hundred people in the United States are diagnosed with MS each week. (Pietrangelo and Higuera).
Statistics by Location. Rates of MS are higher, farther from the equator. Approximately between fifty-seven and seventy-eight cases of Multiple Sclerosis arise per 100,000 people in the southern states. However, between 110 and 140 cases of MS arise per 100,000 people in the northern states. People who live in climates that experience colder weather are also more prone to getting MS (Pietrangelo and
Still scientists are actively studying infectious factors that may contribute to causing MS. Insight of what initiates MS will speed the process of discovering more effective ways to treat, and eventually cure, the disease. Insight on the disease could even prevent MS from occurring to begin with. Some of the factors that may contribute to MS are immunologic factors, environmental factors, infectious factors, and genetic factors.
Immunologic Factors
Multiple Sclerosis is an atypical immune-mediated response that attacks the myelin around nerve fibers in the central nervous system. Recently, scientists have been able to recognize which immune cells are launching the attack, some of the aspects that cause them to attack, and some of the locations on the attacking cells that appear to be drawn to the myelin. Continuing efforts to learn more about the immune-mediated process in MS — what activates it, how it functions, and how to combat it — are shedding more light onto the causes of MS (The National Multiple Sclerosis …show more content…
Common symptoms of multiple sclerosis that someone may experience are numbness or tingling, fatigue, issues with balance, vision changes, and muscle weakness in the appendicular skeleton (Ciccarelli and White 49). Individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis typically face unusual sensations, such as burning, itching, or stabbing pains. Medications and rehabilitation treatments are known to slow down the progression of the disease. Multiple sclerosis can also go into relapses. These relapses can last for a few years, or a lifetime. Although there are treatments for multiple sclerosis, there is not an actual cure.
Data
Statistics in the United States. Over 400,000 people in the United States, and around 2.5 million people around the world, have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Around two hundred people in the United States are diagnosed with MS each week. (Pietrangelo and Higuera).
Statistics by Location. Rates of MS are higher, farther from the equator. Approximately between fifty-seven and seventy-eight cases of Multiple Sclerosis arise per 100,000 people in the southern states. However, between 110 and 140 cases of MS arise per 100,000 people in the northern states. People who live in climates that experience colder weather are also more prone to getting MS (Pietrangelo and