Multiple Sclerosis

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 defines Multiple Sclerosis as an
inflammatory, nervous system disease in which the myelin sheaths around the axons of
nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and
affecting the ability of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to communicate with each
other.

This damage disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to communicate,
resulting in a range of signs and symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes
psychiatric problems. Specific symptoms can include double vision, blindness in one eye,
muscle weakness, trouble with sensation, or coordination.

Scientists do not really know what causes MS, but risk factors include:

• Age: Most people receive a diagnosis between the ages of 20 and 40 years.
   
• Sex: Most forms of MS are twice as likely to affect women than men.
   
• Genetic factors: Susceptibility may pass down in the genes, but scientists believe an environmental trigger is also necessary for MS to develop, even in people with specific genetic features.
   
• Smoking: People who smoke appear to be more likely to develop MS. They tend to have more lesions and brain shrinkage than non-smokers.
   
• Infections: Exposure to viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), or mononucleosis, may increase a person's risk of developing MS, but research has not shown a definite link. Other viruses that may play a role include human herpes virus type 6 (HHV6) and mycoplasma pneumonia.
   
• Vitamin D deficiency: MS is more common among people who have less exposure to bright sunlight, which is necessary for the body to create vitamin D. Some experts think that low levels of vitamin D may affect the way the immune system works.
   
• Vitamin B12 deficiency: The body uses vitamin B when it produces myelin. A lack of this vitamin may increase the risk of neurological diseases, such as MS.
   
• Previous theories have included exposure to canine distemper, physical trauma, or aspartame, an artificial sweetener, but there is no evidence to support these

There is probably no single trigger for MS, but multiple factors may contribute.

The crude prevalence of MS in India stands at 8-9 people per 1,00,000. It is estimated that the total number in India is close to 1.8 lakh patients.

1. Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
2. Wikipedia - Multiple Sclerosis
3. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Types of MS
4. MedicalNewsToday Multiple sclerosis: What you need to know
5. TOI - Young adults most vulnerable to Multiple Sclerosis
6. National Library of Medicine - Multiple sclerosis in India: An overview
7. YouTube - Multiple sclerosis - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology