Support Orange Butterfly on World Multiple Sclerosis Day

World Multiple Sclerosis Day, to be held on May 30th, is an awareness day internationally for everyone who is affected by multiple sclerosis. World Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Day was initiated in 2009, by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) and its members on a global level including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in the United States of America. Estimates by the World Health Organisation (WHO) say that worldwide, around 1.8 million people are suffering from multiple sclerosis.

The World Multiple Sclerosis Day theme for 2024 is “Diagnosis”. This year’s campaign is called “My Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis” with “Navigating Multiple Sclerosis Together” as its tagline. This year’s campaign aims to get a diagnosis for everyone with multiple sclerosis – both timely and accurate diagnosis. It speaks of the barriers, globally, to diagnosing multiple sclerosis and increasing awareness through the sharing of true stories and related data. The campaign calls for improvements in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis through better training for the first contact points,  the healthcare professionals, new and updated research and clinical advancements. The campaign aims to collaborate to build informed and caring communities and in-built systems to be able to provide support to those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system, the brain and the spinal cord, with the potential to lead to disabilities.  In multiple sclerosis, the immune system of our body becomes overactive and mistakenly attacks the healthy myelin cells, the protective sheath covering nerve fibres, causing problems in the signals used for communication between our brain and the rest of our body. Over time, multiple sclerosis can permanently damage or cause deterioration to our nerve fibres adversely affecting functions of our body like movement, vision and sensation.

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test shows the demyelination or the damage to your myelin. This damaged section is referred to as a lesion, scar or plaque.

What are the Types of Multiple Sclerosis?

There are commonly 4 types of multiple sclerosis based on the way a care provider will describe your symptoms:

Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)

When you suffer from the initial symptoms that may suggest multiple sclerosis but do not match the criteria for having multiple sclerosis, you are categorised as having clinically isolated syndrome. The symptoms are caused by inflammations and damage to myelin, and in future may develop into multiple sclerosis.

Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)

This is the most common way for multiple sclerosis to begin; most people diagnosed with the disease are suffering from this type. In this type, multiple sclerosis is the cause of relapses of old symptoms or attacks of new symptoms, and flare-ups. There are periods when the symptoms go into remission, go away or stabilise.

Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)

Often relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) over a period of time progresses to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), where the accumulation of damage in the nerves causes other symptoms to get worse over time. You may still be experiencing some forms of relapses or flares, but you are not likely to experience any periods when the symptoms are in remission, or they stabilise or disappear.

Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)

There are instances where the symptoms of multiple sclerosis start in a slow manner and over time worsen in nature. There is no remission or periods of relapse, rather a steadily worsening situation from the beginning.

There are three rare varieties of multiple sclerosis:

1. Tumefactive Multiple Sclerosis: This variant of multiple sclerosis is characterised by the formation of large patches of damaged myelin cells in your brain, similar in appearance to tumours. It is difficult to differentiate this form of multiple sclerosis from brain cancers. 
2. Balo’s Concentric Sclerosis: This variant of multiple sclerosis is characterised by damaged tissues with a concentric shape appearing like a bull’s eye target on the MRI, resulting in the name.
3. Marburg Variant Multiple Sclerosis: This form of Sclerosis is very rare and aggressive in nature, progressing rapidly and leading to the death of the patient if not treated.

Trivia: Multiple sclerosis is symbolised by orange ribbons or an orange butterfly. Orange is the colour officially representing this disease and the butterfly shape is the one usually seen when a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test of the brain of someone suffering from multiple sclerosis is carried out.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Common symptoms of multiple sclerosis include the following:

• Changes to your vision like double vision, vision loss or optic neuritis – inflammation of the optic verve
• Muscle weakness normally affects only one side of your body or face or below your waist
• Abnormal sensations or numbness again normally affecting only one side of your body or face or below your waist
• Fatigue
• Clumsiness
• Difficulty regulating your bladder movements
• Dizziness
• Mood changes
• Difficulty with cognitive functions like thinking, concentration, judgement, memory and learning
• Loss of body balance and coordination of the body
• Stiffness and spasms in muscles

The symptoms are different from person to person and also fluctuate in intensity and severity from day to day. It is unlikely that you will have all these symptoms.

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis

The exact causes of multiple sclerosis in people are still unknown. However, as per research carried out, the following factors may increase your risk of developing multiple sclerosis:

• Smoking
• Exposure to toxins such as pesticides or second-hand smoke
• Low vitamin D levels
• Exposure to certain types of contagious viruses
• Childhood obesity
• Genetic factors where the risk of you getting multiple sclerosis increases if the disease runs in the family

Complications Caused by Multiple Sclerosis

In case your multiple sclerosis is worsening or is exhibiting progressive symptoms, you may face complications such as:

• Limited mobility – difficulty in walking independently without assistance
• Loss of control over your bladder and bowel
• Loss of memory
• Lack of sexual satisfaction caused by sexual dysfunction
• Anxiety and depression

How is Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed?

It is difficult to pinpoint the presence of multiple sclerosis with a single diagnostic tool. Your neurologist will conduct thorough neurological and physical tests as well as lab diagnostic tests. The doctor will talk about your symptoms and medical history – both of yourself and your family. MRI tests of your brain and spinal cord, as well as blood tests and clinical analysis of your spinal cord, may be required. A positive diagnosis of multiple sclerosis takes some time.

The following tests are usually prescribed by the neurologist:

• Blood and urine tests
• MRI of your brain and spinal cord
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OMC) test
• Lumbar puncture to test the spinal fluids
• Evoked Potential (EP) test

Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis cannot be cured or reversed. The treatment looks to minimise further damage, manage your symptoms and reduce the complications. A treatment plan comprises of:

• Medications
• Physical, speech or occupational therapy
• Counselling for mental health

Your symptoms may be managed depending on the way multiple sclerosis has affected you:

• Wearing prescription glasses or taking medicines for weakened vision
• Deep brain stimulation to treat the tremors caused by muscle spasms
• Use a cane, walker or wheelchair in case your mobility has been affected
• Medicines – antiseizure or antispasmodic for your pain
• Medicines for cognitive symptoms
• Alternate therapy methods like yoga or acupuncture

Common types of medication to reduce relapses of multiple sclerosis or to prevent the development of new scars or lesions in the brain include:

Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs)

These reduce your relapses, slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis and prevent the formation of new lesions on your brain and spinal cord. Common ways of administering DMTs are:

• Injections into the skin – Beta interferon, ofatumumab or glatiramer acetate
• Intravenous infusions – Alemtuzumab, ublituximab, rituximab, ocrelizumab or natalizumab
• Oral medication – Cladribine, diroximel fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, monomethyl fumarate, siponimod, fingolimod, ponesimod, ozanimod or teriflunomide
• Stem cell transplant

Relapse Management Medications

In case of attacks with severe symptoms, your immune system is suppressed with corticosteroids like methylprednisolone to quickly reduce the inflammation. These medications increase the speed of recovery after an attack and also slow the damage to the myelin sheath. 

How to Reduce the Risk of Flare-ups of Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis? 

The most effective solution to reduce the number of flare-ups is following disease-modifying therapies (DMTs)

You may also slow the progression of your disease by following a healthy lifestyle by doing these:

1. Eating proper and nutritious meals
2. Sleeping as per the requirements of your body and age
3. Regularly taking part in physical activities
4. Keeping away from all forms of tobacco products

You would also need to consult a neuropsychologist to cope with the effects of this chronic condition on your memory and mood. 

When Should I Seek Medical Help?

You need to visit a neurologist in case you experience the following symptoms:

1. Feeling sensitive to heat beyond what is normal
2. A feeling of unsteadiness or loss of balance in your body
3. You are facing difficulties in remembering things
4. Feelings of numbness or tingling in your legs or arms
5. Sudden and abrupt changes in your vision
6. A feeling of weakness in your legs and arms.

There is no denying that the expenses of treating Sclerosis can be hefty. However, you can cover those expenses and keep your savings intact with an adequate health insurance cover like Care Advantage. The policy comes with an extensive sum insured up to 6 crore, where disease like Sclerosis is covered after a waiting period of 2 years. So, don’t delay investing on this plan. 

Final Word!

While it is true that multiple sclerosis is a condition that is disruptive in nature and may flare up suddenly, causing you physical harm through injuries, it may also be contained with proper support from a healthcare professional and by adopting your lifestyle to the conditions. Events like World Multiple Sclerosis Day are conducted to increase awareness of this condition and to get society as a whole to support patients suffering from this condition.

>> Also Read: Health Insurance Covering Multiple Sclerosis

Disclaimers: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.