The Health Informant: Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) – an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks the body’s brain and spinal cord; attacks the nerve- insulating myelin; produces anti-myelin T cells; slows, distorts, and halts nerve impulses

· Myelin – nerve cell insulation; facilitates communication between nerve cells

· Immune system – a network of specialized cells and organs that defends the body against attacks by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites - destroys and degrades

· Autoimmune disease – overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body; the body attacks its own cells/itself

· Partial list of the parts of the immune system

a) Tonsil, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, small intestine, large intestine, bone marrow, appendix,

· Causes may be: (Doctors still not sure on causes but have scientific data that makes suggestions)

a) genetics – scientists believe that there is a genetic predisposition to react to some environmental agent, which upon exposure, triggers an autoimmune response

b) the environment – In the United States, more prevalent in whites than an other racial group; More common in certain parts of the world; if you move to one of these areas prior to adolescence, you acquire the risks of this area ~ possible predispose a person to MS; also have been epidemics of MS

c) viruses – some studies suggest that many viruses such as measles, herpes, and the flu viruses may be associated with MS

· There are drugs used to suppress the immune system, some have antiviral properties, & steroids are also used to treat inflammation caused by MS

FOR MORE INFORMATION :: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx (National MS Society)

For information about holistic heatlh :: http://www.ahha.org/ (American Holistic Health Association)