Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease. The immune system of an individual with MS attacks the protective covering of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This protective covering is called the myelin sheath. Once the myelin sheath is destroyed, the exposed nerve causes many different possible medical complications. There is currently no known cause or cure for MS. Treatment options available treat the four different types of MS.
Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)
According to the Mayo Clinic, 85 percent of individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis have the relapsing-remitting form. RRMS is characterized by periods of experiencing symptoms coupled with periods of remission. The time of remission and the duration of exacerbation vary from person to person and from relapse to relapse. The individual is relatively symptom free between flare-ups.
Common symptoms experienced by individuals with RRMS include fatigue, muscular weakness in the extremities, numbness and tingling and temporary vision loss. According to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, women are three times more likely to develop RRMS.
Injectable interferon medications, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), help reduce the number and severity of exacerbations and slow the progression of the disease. Steroid infusions help combat exacerbations.
Secondary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)
Some individuals with RRMS will continue to develop secondary-progressive MS. According to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, untreated RRMS leads to SPMS within 25 years in 90 percent of individuals diagnosed with MS. The types of symptoms that may occur are the same for secondary-progressive MS, but the condition begins to worsen. There may or may not be periods of exacerbations with the progressive worsening of the condition. There is no full remission between episodes of flares. Interferon medications help slow the progress of SPMS also.
Primary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)
Individuals diagnosed with primary-progressive MS have a progressive worsening of symptoms from the start of the condition. There are no periods of remission in the symptoms. The symptoms worsen and increase in intensity. Around 15 to 20 percent of individuals diagnosed with MS have the primary-progressive type. Men and women tend to develop PPMS equally. Interferon medications do not help to stop the progress of PPMS.
Progressive-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (PRMS)
Progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis affects around five percent of people diagnosed. This type of MS has worsening symptoms over the course of the disease and periods of exacerbations. The individual may not regain a previous level functioning after the flare. The interferon medications do not help the progressive-relapsing MS.
