Present all over the world, sclerosis is one of the most frequent neurological diseases among people in their twenties and thirties. Dr. Lecanda, a renowned neurologist, explains what this disease consists of.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the Central Nervous System, mainly the myelin, the substance that covers the neurons. It is a pathology of great social importance, since it is one of the most common causes of disability caused by a neurological disease in young people. In fact, it is a disease that affects young people more strongly, with 70% of patients between 21 and 40 years of age.
Within the progressive forms, the progressive forms appear at later ages, usually around 45 years of age, and the relapsing remitting forms appear between 25 and 30 years of age. Thus, the prevalence in Spain is 50/60 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Multiple sclerosis: the causes
To date, the cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown, although the latest scientific research maintains that the origin of the disease lies in genetic susceptibility and immune disorder, as well as in some viral environmental factor that has not yet been established. The autoimmune nature of the disorder has been known for years; that is, the patient’s antibodies attack the myelin of the nervous system as if it were an aggressive agent, producing plaques of inflammation in the cerebral white matter and spinal cord; the so-called demyelinating outbreaks.
Symptomatology of multiple sclerosis Symptomatology is divided into:
- Deficient
- Framed in outbreaks
- Paroxysmal phenomena that are short-lived and do not leave sequelae,
Thus, depending on the distribution and progression of the disease, there are four different evolutionary types:
- Relapsing-remitting outbreaks
- Primarily progressive
- Secondary progressive
- Relapsing-progressive
The symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary according to the areas of the Central Nervous System that are affected, and its main symptoms may be the following:
- Fatigue
- Visual disturbances: blurred vision, double vision…
- Motor, balance and coordination problems: dizziness, tremors, lack of coordination, mobility problems…
- Spasms
- Sensory disturbances: tingling, numbness, sensation of heat…
- Speech disorders
- Intestinal problems: frequent and urgent urination, constipation…
- Cognitive disorders
What advances have been made in recent years in multiple sclerosis? The major advance in recent years has been the treatment with immunomodulators such as interferon beta 1 alpha or interferon beta 1 beta. Others are glatiramer acetate, immunosuppressants or monoclonal antibodies. Nevertheless, MRI continues to contribute to the diagnosis and evaluation of the disease. However, scientific discoveries in the genetic level of multiple sclerosis, with up to 200 genetic variants, are worth mentioning. The interaction of the IL7R genes with the DDX39B gene that alter immune activity. The NR1H3 gene mutation in progressive multiple sclerosis, which carries a 70% risk.
Muévete: a solidarity project against multiple sclerosis There are more and more events and acts organized to raise funds against this disease: theater, concerts, popular races… From the different associations these types of events are organized for charitable purposes, and they are increasingly popular. For example, the “Mou-te per l’Esclerosi Múltiple” (Get moving for Multiple Sclerosis), which aims to raise money to try to improve the quality of life of those affected by this problem. Thus, the race fulfilled in this 2017 its 17th edition, and the attendance exceeded two thousand people. The funds raised, will be used this year to develop the program “Fem feina” (We make employment), which promotes the employability of people affected by multiple sclerosis.