Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Neurology Specialist Asst Assoc Dr Celal Şalçini said that Multiple Sclerosis, or MS in its abbreviated form, is a disorder caused by the destruction of a structure called myelin that surrounds the cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Şalçini said that MS, which usually progresses in attacks, also has attack-free and slowly progressive varieties.
MS is characterized by these symptoms
Stating that MS can cause all kinds of neurological symptoms, Asst. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Celal Şalçini said, "Frequently, there may be blurred vision in one eye, double vision, numbness and weakness in the hands or arms on one side, weakness and imbalance attacks on one side of the body. It can also cause mental impairment and slowing down."
Stating that although MS is usually seen at a young age, it can also be seen in middle age or childhood, Assist.Assoc.Prof. Dr. Celal Şalçini said, "MS disease develops as a result of a reaction that starts in predisposition and genetic infrastructure in the autoimmune neurological diseases group."
The course of the disease is different in each patient
Assist.Assoc.Prof. Dr. Celal Şalçini stated that in the diagnosis of MS, MRI (brain and spinal cord) with medication, examination of cerebrospinal fluid taken from the waist and other tests are used.
Noting that the course of the disease varies, Şalçin said, "While some patients have a single attack and never see it again, another group has intermittent attacks and recovers."
Assist.Assoc.Prof. Dr. Celal Şalçini stated that MS is nowadays tried to be stopped with the help of subcutaneous or intramuscular injections, and with the recent development of technology, tablets that can be taken orally and direct intravenous drugs can also be applied.
More common in women
Stating that although MS is more common in women, it is rarer but more severe in men, Asst. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Celal Şalçini concluded his words as follows:
"Even if the increase in MS patients has increased relatively due to the increased frequency of diagnosis, environmental factors can also trigger it since it is in the autoimmune disease group."