What is multiple sclerosis a disease?

  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). MS lesions mainly involve the white matter of the CNS and are characterized by extensive myelin loss along with oligodendrocyte damage, some of which may lead to axonal degeneration and neuronal cell necrosis. Common symptoms include: optic nerve dysfunction, diplopia, limb sensory impairment, limb motor impairment, ataxia, and bladder or rectal dysfunction.  Treatment of MS MS should be treated early and reasonably based on evidence-based medical evidence and the patient’s economic conditions and wishes. the treatment of MS is divided into: (1) acute phase treatment; (2) disease-modifying treatment; and (3) symptomatic treatment.  1. Acute treatment of MS Acute treatment of MS aims to reduce the symptoms during the deterioration period, shorten the course of the disease, improve the degree of disability and prevent complications. The preferred treatment option is high-dose methylprednisolone shock therapy. Plasma exchange (PE) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) can also be tried for severe cases or those who are ineffective in this treatment, but the evidence is not sufficient.   2, disease modifying therapy (DMT) DMT drugs can reduce the number of clinical relapses, the number of new intracranial enhancement and/or new T2 lesions, EDSS score progression, etc., improve the quality of survival of MS patients, and should be adhered to long-term treatment. Clinically, first-line therapeutic drugs are preferred for RRMS, and second-line therapy and immunosuppressive therapy can be used for RRMS with unsatisfactory first-line therapeutic drugs and SPMS and PRMS with relapsing process. There is no effective treatment for PPMS. In addition to the above treatments, immunosuppressive therapy can be used for those with limited economic conditions. Treatment evaluation: Treatment ineffectiveness and failure are defined as frequent relapse or deterioration of the disease during the course of regular DMT, an increase of more than 1 point in the Expanded Disability Scale (EDSS) score within 1 year or a significant increase in the number of active intracranial lesions compared to the previous one. The minimum treatment duration to evaluate treatment failure is 6-12 months. Those with treatment failure may be considered for replacement of second-line therapeutic agents or other treatments such as immunosuppressants.  3. Symptomatic treatment of MS 1) painful spasm: drugs such as carbamazepine, gabapentin and baclofen can be applied: for more intense trigeminal neuralgia and radicular pain, pregabalin can also be applied; 2) chronic pain, sensory abnormalities, etc.: amitriptyline, pregabalin, selective 5-monohydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) and norepinephrinergic and specific 5- serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSA) class of drugs.  (3) Depression and anxiety: selective 5-hydroxytryptamine reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), SNRI, NaSSA drugs and psychological counseling treatment can be applied.  (4) Lethargy and fatigue (more obvious symptoms in MS patients): Modafinil and amantadine can be used.  5) Tremor: Benzhexol hydrochloride, Aurolol hydrochloride and other drugs can be applied.  6) Vesicorectal dysfunction: with medication or with the help of catheterization and other treatments.  7) Sexual dysfunction: drugs to improve sexual function can be applied, etc.: 8) Cognitive impairment: cholinesterase inhibitors can be applied, etc.  (9) walking difficulties: central potassium channel antagonist, DaHampridine (Ampyra, 2010 US FDA approval), currently not available in China.  4. Rehabilitation treatment and life guidance for MS Rehabilitation treatment for MS is equally important. Patients with functional disorders such as limb, speech and swallowing should undergo corresponding functional rehabilitation training under the guidance of professional doctors at an early stage. In terms of understanding the disease, medical workers should patiently educate patients and their relatives, emphasize the necessity of early intervention and early treatment, give a reasonable account of the disease and its prognosis, increase patients’ confidence in treating the disease, and improve the compliance of treatment. Medical workers should also provide reasonable advice in all aspects of life, including genetics, marriage, pregnancy, diet, psychology and medication, including avoidance of vaccination, avoiding overheated hot baths, high temperature exposure to strong sunlight, keeping a happy mood, not smoking, regular work and rest, moderate exercise, and vitamin D supplementation.