Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a typically a progressive disease in which the myelin sheath, the covering that sounds and protects nerve cells, is damaged by inflammation, notes MedlinePlus. When the myelin sheath is damaged, nerve impulses are slowed or stopped which results in a variety of symptoms. The severity and progression of the disease is notoriously variable and difficult to predict. Benign MS is a term used to describe individuals who have been relatively symptom free for 10 to 15 years, notes the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, or whose symptoms continue to be very mild.
Inflammation and Tissue Damage
Dr. Massimo Filippi, and colleagues conducted a study using magnetic resonance imaging, or MRIs to assess the differences present in individuals with benign MS and their results were published in the journal "Neurology" in February 2009. Their MRI scans comparing people with benign MS to those with relapse-remitting MS demonstrate that individuals with benign MS had fewer lesions in key areas like the upper cervical cord and the cerebellum, areas paramount in movement. In addition, individuals with benign MS had less inflammation in the cerebellum, spine and gray matter of the brain and had less severe tissue damage in the gray matter.
Temporary Vision Loss
Dr. Moses Rodriguez, neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, and colleagues published a paper in July 2004 in "Annals of Neurology" on the nature of benign MS, explaining that ongoing attacks, resulting in symptoms, can occur in patients with benign MS, but the symptoms go away. Furthermore, if the symptoms come back, they go away again, generally after a week or so. With benign MS, most of the time, there is no outward sign of the disease, other than the episodic attacks, such as the loss of vision in one eye, which is completely recovered after a short time interval. Their study demonstrated that the longer the duration of MS and the lower the disability, the likelihood is that the patient will remain stable and not progress. This study points out that in the 17 percent of all MS patients who are benign, a different approach to treatment with less reliance on medication might be important.
Additional Eye Problems, Muscle Spasms and Pain
Benign MS is characterized by few relapses or attacks, symptoms that clear quickly and long periods of good health in between flare-ups. In addition to temporary loss of vision in one eyes, an attack might also include eye discomfort, double vision and uncontrollable rapid eye movement, notes MedlinePlus. Muscle spasms, which are often accompanied by pain are typical symptoms, notes the National Health Service. Numbness or abnormal sensations, as well as trouble moving the legs and arms can also be symptomatic of benign MS. In addition, bladder and bowel problems are not uncommon.
