It is thought that a deficiency of the immune system is one of the causes of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the exact cause remains unknown. There is, however, much research being done on the disease and scientists have a much better understanding of why it occurs. The immune system is what fights against infectious agents such as viruses or bacteria and it is normally responsible for controlling and protecting the body from harmful agents such as pesticides.
Multiple sclerosis causes inflammation of the myelin, which is a protective sheath that surrounds nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis often affects multiple areas of the body at the same time and the myelin sheath becomes depleted, leading to pain, neurological dysfunction and other symptoms. In my case, the disease resulted in me having orthostatic intolerance, which is a form of weakness in the legs. An example of this would be walking across a bridge with one leg slightly higher than the other. This can be very dangerous, causing dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches and a lower backache.
One theory put forward by doctors is the theory of myelin deficiency, where in my case there was a deficiency in myelin. The theory is that multiple sclerosis leads to a breakdown in the myelin, therefore causing muscle wasting, neurological dysfunction and other symptoms. However, the theory is still under debate. Myalgia is another neurological disorder that is closely related to multiple sclerosis and can affect multiple parts of the body. Myalgia can also involve muscle wasting, weakness, numbness, muscle cramps and tingling or a loss of sensation.
Another theory put forward by doctors is fibromyalgia syndrome. Fibromyalgia syndrome is similar to myalgia and can affect the central nervous system and other areas including the musculoskeletal system and the gastrointestinal tract. Some symptoms include widespread pain, fatigue, tenderness, stiffness and disturbances to sleep such as night choking and sleep apnea. The deficiency can also affect speech and swallowing.
Other symptoms include cognitive dysfunction, memory loss and depression. Studies have shown that myalgic encephalomyelitis can also be linked to chronic fatigue syndrome. The theory is that fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and ME/MELAS are all symptomatic of ME, where in myalgic encephalomyelitis is associated with depression, muscle weakness and loss of bowel and bladder control. However, recent research has shown that fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and ME/MELAS are independent diseases.
People with fibromyalgia may experience a combination of fatigue, muscle weakness and loss of bowel and bladder control. Chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS is a disabling illness which can severely limit the ability to continue with one’s usual activities. ME/MELAS is a disabling condition which can seriously affect one’s ability to lead an active lifestyle. In both conditions, the diagnosis can only be made after medical testing and thorough assessment by experts.