Expert explains: 'One in every 10 people has MS'

Explaining the lesser-known facts about multiple sclerosis, commonly known as MS, which emerges as a result of a disorder in the immune system causing numerous plaques to form in the spinal cord and brain, Dr. Esra Taşkıran stated that the condition is a chronic inflammatory disease involving myelin loss that is more common in women between the ages of 20 and 40, adding, "According to the latest study we conducted using the Ministry of Health database, there are nearly 3 million MS patients worldwide and approximately 82 thousand in Turkey. We can say that one in every 10 people has MS."

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Taşkıran stated that the symptoms of MS can become permanent in later years, noting, "It is a disease that generally progresses with relapses and remissions, affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and mostly causes damage to nerve cells and the nerve cell sheath we call myelin. In most MS patients, it progresses with attacks and recoveries, while in a small group, it progresses with continuously worsening symptoms. Although attacks show complete recovery, especially in the initial period, some symptoms may become permanent in later years. Attacks are generally new neurological symptoms that emerge within hours, last longer than 24 hours, and are not accompanied by fever or infection," she said.

''IT CAN MIMIC DIFFERENT DISEASES''

Emphasizing that MS is a central nervous system disease and affects many areas of the brain and spinal cord, Taşkıran said, "MS manifests itself with symptoms such as vision impairment like blurred vision, double vision, or shifting images; weakness in one arm, a leg, or both legs; imbalance while walking; tremors in one or both hands; numbness; urinary incontinence or retention; and sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, MS can mimic different diseases. For this reason, differential diagnosis may require many examinations. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and the examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are useful methods in diagnosis and differential diagnosis," she stated.

''THE ROOT CAUSE OF MS...''

Emphasizing that the exact cause of the disease is not fully known, Dr. Esra Taşkıran said, "Scientific research in the fields of MS and immunology allows us to reach new scientific data every day regarding the cause, formation mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of 'multiple sclerosis'. The root cause of MS is the body's immune system attacking its own cells. Beyond genetic predisposition, environmental factors such as infections (EBV, etc.), low vitamin D levels, smoking, and early age of menarche can trigger the onset of MS. Evidence is increasingly showing that smoking, including passive smoking, is significant in the onset of the disease, its progression, and treatment response," she said.

MISCONCEPTIONS

Reminding that MS is not a fatal disease, Dr. Esra Taşkıran listed the misconceptions about MS as follows:
"Multiple sclerosis is not a contagious disease; it is not transmitted to family members sharing the same house or colleagues working in the same environment. Although familial predisposition is identified in some individuals, it is not a purely genetic disease. MS is not a disease that prevents patients from having children. MS patients can have children with appropriate treatment management and medication selection. Multiple sclerosis is not a fatal disease. MS is not a mental illness. Multiple sclerosis is not a hopeless disease without treatment. With developing new treatment methods, MS is a treatable disease."

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Stating that great progress has been made in the treatment of MS and emphasizing that all applications used worldwide are also applied in Turkey, Taşkıran said, "In light of scientific studies, multiple sclerosis is a disease where treatment options are increasing with new and effective therapies, requiring close cooperation between MS patients and neurology specialists, and where social, familial, and societal support is important. All treatment options available in the world are also available in our country. Disease activity is now very well reduced with injection treatments, oral tablets, and infusion treatments administered as serum. In patients with high disability rates, the effectiveness of current treatments is lower, and active and continuous physical therapy is quite effective in partially improving disability," she said.

News Source: İHA