What does multiple sclerosis do to the body?

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in myelin (the layer that surrounds nerves in the spinal cord and brain). Over time, this leads to increased numbness/tingling, weakness, vision problems and balance issues, says David Duncan, MD, FAAN, MSCSA neurologist To Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Dr. Duncan details what a person with multiple sclerosis can expect and the effects of the disease on the body.

Stages of multiple sclerosis

There are two basic stages of multiple sclerosis:

Preclinical stage. “It’s a period of time where people are asymptomatic, but the disease is happening in the central nervous system,” says Dr. Duncan. As the disease progresses, numbness/tingling, weakness, vision problems and problems with balance appear, leading to a diagnosis.

clinical stage. Once a person is diagnosed, they enter the second stage, which can go in one of two directions:

• Relapse. People with relapsing multiple sclerosis will have acute bouts of symptoms that come and go.
• Progress. People with progressive multiple sclerosis will have ongoing symptoms that get worse over time.

Treatment influences progression

The trajectory of multiple sclerosis is very different depending on whether the disease is treated or not. People who are diagnosed and treated earlier in their disease may experience remission for an extended period and significantly affect their long-term outcomes.

Conversely, Dr. Duncan says that patients who are left untreated, after the initial presentation of symptoms, can suffer from significant disabilities.

Multiple sclerosis must be treated at two levels:

1. Treat the disease itself. This treatment prevents the disease from progressing further or reduces the progression as much as possible.
2. Treat the symptoms of the disease. This treatment aims to lessen some of the common effects such as:

• Pain/numbness
• Gait disorder
• Cognitive problems
• Bowel/bladder problems

Mitigating the effects of multiple sclerosis on the body

In addition to treatment options that slow disease progression and reduce symptoms, lifestyle changes can have a positive impact:

• Good nutrition such as the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes whole grains, vegetables, fruits, olive oil, and fish, which emphasizes brain-healthy foods
• Regular exercise to improve strength and coordination
• Stop smoking (research shows that smoking accelerates the progression of multiple sclerosis)
• Controlled comorbidities such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes – some uncontrolled comorbidities can contribute to greater disability, accelerated disease progression, and reduced quality of life.

Next steps and resources:

The material provided by HealthU is intended to be used for general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your doctor for individual care.