Imaging this situation happen to you. You are young and healthy in your thirties but suddenly without any reason you lose your vision. Yes, it’s a very scary experience. This is what had happened to one of my patients. Let’s find out her story. Urgently, she was seen by an eye doctor and could not find a reason for her blindness, but MRI of the brain confirmed that she has a condition called MS or Multiple sclerosis.
MS is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect and damage the nerve cells in the brain and the nervous system. This damage disrupts the normal flow of information between the brain and the rest of the body. MS typically affects people between the ages of 20 and 40, and it is more common in women.
The symptoms can include fatigue, tingling and numbness, difficulty walking or speaking, vision problems, muscle weakness & spasms, trouble controlling bladder and bowels. Normally, the symptoms can vary widely from one patient to another and may come and go over time.
The diagnosis is by doing an MRI and spinal tap which is taking some fluids from your lower spine to do a specific test.
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for MS, but there are different treatments available that can help manage symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease as well as doing physical and occupational therapy. The good news, MS can progresse very slowly, it might take many years before leading to serious disability.
Living with MS can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. However, many people with MS can lead a productive life with the help of medical treatment, lifestyle changes, and family and healthcare support.
Video shot by Galia Helbaoui and edited by Amer Helbaoui
11 окт 2023
