The cause of the disease is not known, but science already points to some clues
In 2015, when she was just 24, occupational safety technician Jocilene Emanuele Medina sought an emergency room in Pains, Minas Gerais, where she lives, after having an episode of vomiting, dizziness and derangement.
After a medical consultation and some tests, she was referred to an otolaryngologist where she was diagnosed with labyrinthitis.
Even after the indicated treatments, Manu, as she is better known, says that the symptoms have not improved and she has begun to lose sight on her left side.
Concerned, she sought out an ophthalmologist. “The doctor realized that I had inflammation of the optic nerve and decided for my immediate hospitalization. I was scared, I didn’t imagine the seriousness of my case”, she says.
In the 15 days of hospitalization, despite several tests carried out, the doctors had not yet concluded a diagnosis on what was happening in Manu.
It was only after a year and a half of investigations that the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis arrived.
“When I received the news, I was speechless. I think the initial stage of diagnosis is the most difficult for the patient. Having ‘easy’ access to information on the internet, for example, makes us even more desperate,” says Manu.
young patients
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, autoimmune neurological disease in which the body’s defense cells attack the central nervous system itself, causing damage to the brain and spinal cord.
May 30 is considered World Multiple Sclerosis Day, a date chosen with the aim of bringing information about the disease to society.
The ABEM (Brazilian Association of Multiple Sclerosis) estimates that about 40,000 Brazilians have the disease, which usually affects young people between the ages of 20 and 40, being more common among women and whites.
The cause of the disease, as well as why it is more common in young women, are still open questions for science.
There are, however, some clues as to why this group accounts for the majority of diagnoses.
One theory is that fluctuations in sex hormones during the reproductive years could affect the immune response and increase the risk of developing the disease.
Studies suggest that another factor is a genetic component: specific genes may be responsible, in part, for women’s susceptibility to multiple sclerosis.
Additionally, the generally stronger immune response in women may contribute to increased inflammatory activity in the central nervous system, which increases the risk of developing the disease.
Multiple sclerosis is not a type of dementia
Importantly, multiple sclerosis is not a type of dementia, as many mistakenly think.
According to neurologist and medical coordinator of Einstein’s Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence, Rodrigo Thomaz, the word “sclerosis” refers to the “hardening” that occurs in the brain and spinal cord of patients with the condition.
“You can observe the formation of small plaques with scars that harden to the touch.”
Multiple sclerosis is characterized by neurological loss. In people who have the disease, immune cells reverse their roles: instead of protecting the defense system, they start attacking it, producing inflammation.
These inflammations affect the myelin sheath, a sort of protective coating that covers the neurons responsible for carrying impulses from the central nervous system to the body and vice versa, compromising the functions coordinated by the brain.
In addition to the specific factors linking women to the disease, people with a genetic predisposition to autoimmune diseases and who are exposed to environmental factors such as viral infections, smoking, obesity and reduced levels of vitamin D are also considered to be at increased risk. of the disease.
“Reducing the risk of developing multiple sclerosis is debatable, as the disease has a genetic component that increases the risk of impaired immune system functioning. However, controlling environmental factors can actually interfere with the chances of presenting with the disease “, says Claudia Vasconcelos, coordinator of the Scientific Department of Neuroimmunology of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology.
most common symptoms
- Fatigue (intense and momentarily disabling tiredness)
- Speech disorders (slow speech, slurred speech, and shaky voice)
- Difficulty swallowing liquids, pastes or solids
- Visual disturbances (blurred or double vision)
- loss of balance
- Motor coordination problems
- Instability when walking
- tremors
- dizziness and nausea
- Incontinence or urinary retention
- Spasticity (stiffness in one limb during movement and mainly affects the lower limbs)
- cognitive disorders
- Emotional disturbances (depression, anxiety, irritation)
- Erectile dysfunction in men and decreased vaginal lubrication in women
“Symptoms and signs of sclerosis can be transient, last a few minutes and disappear, causing the patient not to attach much importance to these signs. to investigate the cause of that sign,” explains Alex Machado Baêta, neurologist at BP – A Beneficência Portuguesa in Sao Paulo.
With the aim of raising awareness of multiple sclerosis, Manu uses social media to speak candidly about the challenges multiple sclerosis patients face on a daily basis.
“Lack of information leads to indirect bias. Because it’s not a visible disease, society doesn’t see my needs. Sometimes, due to weakness and tiredness, I need to use the preferential queue and people don’t see it at all. good eye. When they know the reason I get looks of doubt or pity. We need to talk more about the disease,” he adds.
The treatments available
Multiple sclerosis has no cure.
The treatments offered try to stabilize and stop the inflammatory activity over the years so that the patient has an improvement in the quality of life.
According to the World Health Organization, there are currently about 20 medicines approved by a regulatory agency, with scientific recognition for treatment. Most exist in Brazil and are available in the SUS (Unified Health System), within the list of the National Supplementary Health Agency.
In addition to drug treatment, according to experts, neurorehabilitation is important to prevent complications such as bone deformities in patients.
“They are drugs that regulate the reactions of the immune system that is facing the attack, and are therefore considered immunosuppressants. In addition to the specific treatment to control the disease, drugs and techniques are used to relieve and manage the symptoms. Procedures are used, such as pulse therapy with corticosteroids or, in aggressive cases, therapeutic plasmapheresis (a process that removes and replaces the patient’s blood plasma),” explains Thomaz.
“Currently there is a real revolution in the treatment and prognosis of the disease, with a much lower risk of sequelae and degenerative progression. The current goal is to avoid as much as possible that the brain and spinal cord are “invaded ” from the disease, reducing the future risk for people with MS,” adds the neurologist and medical coordinator of Einstein’s Center of Excellence in Multiple Sclerosis.
In Manu’s case, treatment includes follow-up with a rheumatologist to relieve joint and musculoskeletal symptoms, vitamin D replacement, and focus on mental health, with follow-up with a psychologist and medications – prescribed by a doctor – to control anxiety.
“I also try to be careful with my diet, avoiding inflammatory foods, doing low-impact physical activity like swimming and hydro-gymnastics,” she says.
“Multiple sclerosis is like a dance partner that I’m always watching so you don’t step on my foot. Living with the disease is a box of surprises. Every day is a new challenge and I never know what symptom I’m going to wake up with.”
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
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