WEBVTT 00:00:00.976 --> 00:00:07.536 Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis, or MS, 00:00:07.986 --> 00:00:09.476 is an autoimmune disease. 00:00:09.736 --> 00:00:11.796 Normally your immune system protects you 00:00:11.796 --> 00:00:14.856 by attacking invaders such as viruses and bacteria. 00:00:15.406 --> 00:00:17.986 With MS and other autoimmune diseases, 00:00:17.986 --> 00:00:19.996 your immune system reacts abnormally. 00:00:20.486 --> 00:00:23.946 When you have MS, it attacks the nerves in your brain and spine. 00:00:25.726 --> 00:00:32.526 Symptoms of MS MS symptoms can range from mild to severe. 00:00:32.826 --> 00:00:34.636 They can come and go unpredictably. 00:00:34.926 --> 00:00:38.376 Symptoms can be different from person to person. 00:00:38.376 --> 00:00:41.036 Your symptoms may be triggered by becoming overheated 00:00:41.036 --> 00:00:43.726 or having an infection that raises your body temperature. 00:00:44.136 --> 00:00:46.636 Common symptoms include tingling and numbness, 00:00:46.636 --> 00:00:48.326 especially in the hands and feet. 00:00:48.746 --> 00:00:51.666 You may feel very tired, or have mental confusion 00:00:51.666 --> 00:00:53.446 or short-term memory loss. 00:00:53.446 --> 00:00:56.056 You may have muscle spasms or shooting pains, 00:00:56.056 --> 00:00:57.216 or have trouble walking. 00:00:57.926 --> 00:01:01.116 You may need to urinate a lot or have trouble moving your bowels. 00:01:01.256 --> 00:01:03.056 You may also have vision problems, 00:01:03.056 --> 00:01:05.146 or emotional upset such as depression. 00:01:05.506 --> 00:01:09.106 If old symptoms suddenly get worse or if new symptoms start, 00:01:09.226 --> 00:01:12.156 you could be having what is called an MS relapse. 00:01:12.156 --> 00:01:15.586 In a relapse, the symptoms last for 24 hours or more 00:01:15.586 --> 00:01:18.476 and are not due to infection or high body temperature. 00:01:19.776 --> 00:01:26.286 Causes of MS The exact cause of MS is not known. 00:01:26.286 --> 00:01:28.906 It is most likely caused by a combination of things. 00:01:29.156 --> 00:01:31.686 You may be born with genes that make you more likely 00:01:31.686 --> 00:01:34.526 to develop MS. These genes may be triggered 00:01:34.526 --> 00:01:36.076 by something in your environment. 00:01:36.386 --> 00:01:38.516 Two possible triggers are low levels 00:01:38.516 --> 00:01:40.386 of vitamin D and infections. 00:01:40.386 --> 00:01:42.756 If a close relative has the disease, 00:01:42.756 --> 00:01:44.336 your risk increases slightly. 00:01:45.326 --> 00:01:47.846 1 Other risk factors of MS include lack 00:01:47.846 --> 00:01:50.536 of sunlight exposure and low vitamin D levels. 00:01:50.636 --> 00:01:53.036 Smoking is also a risk factor. 00:01:54.086 --> 00:01:55.796 Having the Epstein-Barr virus 00:01:55.796 --> 00:01:58.126 in your body can also put you at higher risk. 00:01:58.976 --> 00:02:03.576 The causes of MS symptoms are now better understood. 00:02:03.646 --> 00:02:06.426 When your immune system attacks your central nervous system, 00:02:06.426 --> 00:02:09.256 it hurts the fatty, protective lining around the nerves 00:02:09.256 --> 00:02:10.576 in your brain and spine. 00:02:10.856 --> 00:02:12.636 This lining is called myelin. 00:02:12.926 --> 00:02:15.336 Over time these attacks can cause myelin 00:02:15.336 --> 00:02:17.096 to be replaced by scar tissue. 00:02:17.476 --> 00:02:20.606 This scar tissue disrupts or delays nerve signals. 00:02:20.826 --> 00:02:23.446 The damage from attacks can build up over time. 00:02:23.446 --> 00:02:25.566 Some symptoms may become permanent. 00:02:25.826 --> 00:02:28.636 Most people with MS have a type that comes and goes. 00:02:28.976 --> 00:02:32.626 This is called relapsing-remitting MS. Most 00:02:32.626 --> 00:02:35.396 people don't become severely disabled by MS, 00:02:35.396 --> 00:02:37.616 and MS does not shorten their life. 00:02:37.616 --> 00:02:39.046 People with a less common type 00:02:39.046 --> 00:02:43.196 of MS called progressive MS have more risk of becoming disabled. 00:02:44.386 --> 00:02:50.806 Diagnosis of MS A healthcare specialist called a neurologist 00:02:50.806 --> 00:02:53.256 will make an MS diagnosis. 00:02:53.256 --> 00:02:56.256 He or she will base the diagnosis on your symptoms, 00:02:56.306 --> 00:02:59.676 a physical exam, and the results of a group of tests. 00:02:59.676 --> 00:03:03.696 You may have an MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging test. 00:03:03.696 --> 00:03:06.376 This test uses radio waves and a computer 00:03:06.376 --> 00:03:08.126 to create an image of your brain. 00:03:08.576 --> 00:03:10.936 Your spinal fluid may also be tested. 00:03:12.576 --> 00:03:17.466 Treatment Options There is no cure for MS yet, 00:03:17.656 --> 00:03:19.106 but there are good treatments. 00:03:19.266 --> 00:03:22.596 There are drugs to take when you have an attack, drugs to take 00:03:22.596 --> 00:03:24.636 for daily symptoms, and drugs 00:03:24.636 --> 00:03:27.486 to prevent the disease from getting worse. 00:03:27.486 --> 00:03:30.996 Drugs that can prevent MS attacks have changed the way MS 00:03:31.146 --> 00:03:33.246 is treated over the past 20 years. 00:03:33.686 --> 00:03:36.946 These drugs are called disease-modifying agents. 00:03:36.946 --> 00:03:39.716 Daily medications to ease symptoms include drugs 00:03:39.716 --> 00:03:42.916 to prevent bladder problems, relieve muscle spasms, 00:03:42.916 --> 00:03:44.316 or increase your energy. 00:03:44.316 --> 00:03:48.666 Steroids are drugs you can take when you have a relapse. 00:03:48.666 --> 00:03:52.476 They fight inflammation and can help an attack end more quickly. 00:03:52.836 --> 00:03:55.026 They do not change the course of your disease. 00:03:55.396 --> 00:03:57.566 A procedure called plasmapheresis, 00:03:57.566 --> 00:04:00.616 or plasma exchange, can also help reduce symptoms. 00:04:00.966 --> 00:04:02.996 During the procedure, your blood is taken. 00:04:03.086 --> 00:04:04.436 Certain parts of the blood 00:04:04.436 --> 00:04:07.016 that can cause symptoms are removed by a machine. 00:04:07.366 --> 00:04:11.016 The plasma is then sent back into your veins. 00:04:11.016 --> 00:04:13.876 Rehabilitation is another important part of treatment. 00:04:14.226 --> 00:04:16.846 This includes physical and occupational therapy 00:04:16.846 --> 00:04:19.436 to help you function better at home or at work. 00:04:19.756 --> 00:04:22.806 You can also learn to use aids like a cane, braces, 00:04:22.806 --> 00:04:26.746 or a wheelchair if you need to. 00:04:26.746 --> 00:04:31.796 What to Do There is no way to prevent MS, 00:04:32.046 --> 00:04:33.586 but there are things you can do 00:04:33.586 --> 00:04:35.986 to help manage the condition and live better. 00:04:36.866 --> 00:04:39.236 Learn as much as you can about your disease. 00:04:39.426 --> 00:04:41.616 Work closely with your healthcare providers 00:04:41.616 --> 00:04:43.146 to find the best treatment plan. 00:04:44.536 --> 00:04:47.506 Avoid getting overheated or becoming overtired. 00:04:49.776 --> 00:04:53.346 Avoid stress and find ways to manage stress. 00:04:53.646 --> 00:04:56.576 Eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise. 00:04:56.576 --> 00:05:00.006 And make sure you get the emotional support you need. 00:05:02.086 --> 00:05:08.726 What We Have Learned MS is a disease caused by a virus. 00:05:08.926 --> 00:05:14.456 True or False The answer is False - No one knows 00:05:14.456 --> 00:05:18.956 yet what causes MS. MS can be cured. 00:05:19.216 --> 00:05:20.316 True or false. 00:05:22.376 --> 00:05:26.076 The answer is False - There is no cure for MS yet, 00:05:26.076 --> 00:05:29.456 but there are drugs to help you manage MS attacks, 00:05:29.456 --> 00:05:31.446 to manage your daily symptoms, 00:05:31.446 --> 00:05:33.936 and to prevent your MS from getting worse. 00:05:36.476 --> 00:05:38.686 Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty 00:05:38.686 --> 00:05:42.006 of regular exercise can help relieve your MS symptoms. 00:05:42.296 --> 00:05:46.666 True or False The answer is True - 00:05:47.016 --> 00:05:50.556 Both can help you manage your MS and live better.