The causes of MS

The impulses sent by the brain are transmitted to the nerve cells by means of the nerve fibers. These fibers are normally protected by a fatty substance called myelin.

MS implies a terrible confusion made by the immune system that causes it to attack and damage the cells that generate myelin. The inflamed myelin is no longer able to protect the fibers, from which it detaches. Its place is taken by hardened scar tissue patches that cover the fiber, which causes a slow or a blockage of electrical impulse transmission from or to the brain. In the end, the nerves themselves are disabled.

Researchers and specialists couldn't find an explanation for the autoimmune reaction. Genetic factors are considered to represent a cause too by the formation of some person's predisposition to MS. Some hypotheses blame a myelin miming protein for the autoimmunity of the disease. This substance is supposed to be introduced in the body by means of a virus, which causes the organism to take myelin for that substance and destroy it. Other hypotheses accuse a disruption of the immune system in people with MS that generates the autoimmune character of the disease. Another cause is represented by changes of the hormonal activities that follow pregnancy.

There are four forms of multiple sclerosis.

• - The relapsing – remitted form is the most frequent. The symptoms appear suddenly and last for long periods then periods of remission follow, then symptoms recidivate over and over again.
• - The progressive – relapsing. The episode receive graduate more and more additional symptoms that make the disease worse are added to the already existing one, making them even more serious. This is the rarest form of MS.
• - The primary – progressive form causes the people affected by rarer forms of MS to face a progressive decline, without remission times. It usually appears in people over 40 that are at the beginning at their symptoms
• - The secondary – progressive form is a stage that follows the relapsing remitted form of MS and represents a permanent deterioration. Sudden attacks superimpose upon these deteriorations to make them worse