MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: A REVIEW

Multiple sclerosis affects around 2.5 million people worldwide it is one of the most common neurological disorders and cause of disability of young adults, especially in Europe and North America. There is a lack of epidemiological studies from Asia where the prevalence is reported to be low, though, with the availability of more neurologists and magnetic resonance imaging, a larger number of patients are being diagnosed. MS is a slowly progressive, immunologically mediated disease of the central nervous system, characterized by inflammation and demyelination of white matter in the brain and spinal cord.  A triad of symptoms clinically characterize Multiple sclerosis: changes in sensation, muscle weakness, ataxia, dysarthria, dysphagia, visual problems, fatigue, acute or chronic pain, bladder and bowel difficulties. The diagnosis of MS is made on the basis of the clinical signs and symptoms, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other laboratory tests playing a supportive role. All tests are non specific and only provide supportive evidence for diagnosis. The effective management of multiple sclerosis is complex and draws on many disciplines, such as neurologists, physiotherapists, speech therapists, counsellors, general practitioners, nurses and pharmacists. There has been no specific treatment for multiple sclerosis so far. The therapies used to treat MS are targeted at different aspects of the disease and can be categorized into disease modifying therapies, treatments used in acute exacerbations and drugs used to treat disease complications.