Demyelinating disease is a neurological condition causing damage to the protective covering (myelin sheath) surrounding the nerves in brain and spinal cord.  Damage to the sheath causes impairment in nerve signal conduction, thereby disturbing sensations, proper movements, identification, memory power and other nerve related functions.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common type of demyelinating disease. In this. the myelin sheath is punctured by the immune system indeliberately. This leads to the bulging and injury to the covering and further to the associated nerves. This can result in sclerosis i.e. multiple areas of scarring; and further destrengthening the functioning of nerves such as muscle movement coordination, sensation and vision.

TYPES

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Optic neuritis
• Devic disease
• Transverse myelitis
• Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
  
  

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS of Demyelinating Disease

• Frequent numbness, weakness or uncontrolled movements of arm and leg
• Sensory or motor changes influencing one side of the body (hemiparesis/paraparesis)
• Brain stem involvement (diplopia)
• Altered sensation in the face (ataxia)
• Blurred vision with painful eye movements due to inflammation of optic nerve (optic neuritis)
• Cerebral lesions - may lead to aphasia or cortical disorders
• Neck sensations showing electrical-like sensations shooting to other parts like arms or back (Lhermitte sign); occurs due to stimulation of partially demyelinated tissue.
• Bladder and bowel dysfunction (urinary problems)
• Muscle spasms
• Tremors and incoordination
• Weakened memory
• Fatigue
• Depression

CAUSES of Demyelinating Disease

• Infectious agents
• Viral infections exposure while childhood
• Infections leading to diseases with long incubation periods, and finally demyelination
• Abnormal immune responses to viruses
• Cytokines
• Neurotoxins

DIAGNOSIS of Demyelinating Disease

The McDonald Criteria, adapted in 2001 - presented diagnostic measures, including:

• Detection of lesions with proper record of occurrence
• History and clinical findings
• MRI - to detect silent cerebral lesions
• Examination of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
• Evoked Potential (EP) findings The criteria describes
  1. Diagnosis of MS
  2. “Possible” diagnosis of MS
  3. No diagnosis of MS
  
  TREATMENT for Demyelinating Disease
  
  
  • Regular exercise
  • Physical Therapy
  • Nutritional programs and properly monitored diet
  • Special care while pregnancy and motherhood
  • Infections and enhanced Temperatures
  • Medications - Oral as well as Intravenous (IV)
    
  • Identification and treatment of Relapses
  • Corticosteroid medications