Ivy Family Health Updates

 
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In this segment, Dr. Norman Schatz discusses MS with Drs. John, Kathryn and Edward Martin.

MS is a disorder of the central nervous system. It occurs in young adults, and used to be referred to as “the crippler of young adults”. It was an unknown disorder of unknown etiology. We now know that it is an autoimmune disease, where there are antibodies attacking the central nervous system, creating a defect in the myelin coating of the nerves.

There are a variety of symptoms which can occur with MS. The optic nerve which is behind the eye, is an extension of the central nervous system, and frequently visual disturbances are one of the presenting signs of MS. The inflammation of the optic nerve is called optic neuritis, and the patient may have blurred vision with a gray haze, changes in color vision, and pain on eye movements, all of which usually occur gradually. For patients who have optic neuritis, about 95% of them will improve with or without treatment.

MS is usually seen in females in their 40’s. It is characterized by intermittent periods of symptoms, which then get better. It will also go to various locations within the nervous system, with symptoms including bladder dysfunction, imbalance, dizziness, blurred vision, jumping and or double vision. MRI testing is used to detect lesion in the myelin in the brain and spinal cord. To have a diagnosis of MS, a patient should have one clinical episode and lesions in the brain or spinal cord seen on MRI.

Treatment is with immunosuppression therapy and neuro rehab. The therapy at this time is intravenous, but hopefully there will be oral therapy in the future. Early management is key to helping keep the disease under control.