What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that leads to degeneration of the outer covering of nerves. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis include numbness, weakness, difficulty walking, and vision changes.
“This disease is characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking the protective sheath of nerve fibers called myelin,” said Dr. Mitalee Kar, Consultant Neurologist, CARE Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, in an interview with the OnlyMyHealth team. It causes inflammation, damage, and formation of scar tissue (sclerosis) in certain parts of the central nervous system.
In MS, the protective myelin sheath that surrounds nerve fibers is attacked by the immune system. As a result, the brain and the rest of the body are unable to communicate. This condition can eventually lead to irreversible damage to the nerve fibers.
Symptoms of MS
Common symptoms of MS include:
- Numbness or tingling.
- Electric shock sensation during certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward (Lhermitte’s sign).
- Lack of coordination
- Difficulty walking or inability to walk.
- Weakness
- Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye, often with pain when moving the eye.
- Double vision or blurred vision.
- Dizziness or vertigo (false sensation of movement).
- Problems with sexual function, bowel and bladder function.
- Fatigue
- Unintelligible speech
- Challenges with memory, thinking and comprehension.
- Mood swings.
What connects menopause to MS?
How was the study conducted?
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Using data from two UCSF studies investigating the etiology and course of MS, EPIC and ORIGINS, the study followed 184 pre- and postmenopausal women. The researchers used the MS Functional Composite (MSFC) to measure walking speed and other tasks during annual assessments of participants, which lasted an average of 13 years.
The study used the MS Functional Composite (MSFC), which measures walking speed among other tasks. After controlling for age, weight, and tobacco use, they found that after menopause, participants took longer to walk 25 feet. Other small declines in cognition and skills were also found.
Related: How Multiple Sclerosis Is Different in Men and Women
