Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that affects your central nervous system and impacts your mobility, cognitive function, and overall quality of life. By detecting the onset of MS early, you can potentially mitigate how quickly the disease progresses.
What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
MS affects the central nervous system, which includes your brain and spinal cord. The symptoms of MS appear when your immune system starts to mistakenly attack myelin, which is a protective layer of tissue that covers nerve fibers.
These attacks cause damage and inflammation, which disrupts the normal flow of electrical impulses through your nerves.
Age of Onset for Multiple Sclerosis
Unfortunately, MS can affect individuals of any age. It most commonly appears between the ages of 20 and 50, though there are rarer cases of pediatric and late-onset diagnoses.
Studies show that more women than men experience MS, at an approximately 3-1 ratio. Some of the contributing factors of MS include genetics and environmental triggers, although it is important to note that the exact cause of MS remains unknown.
Early Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
The early symptoms of MS vary significantly from person to person, which is one of the reasons diagnosing MS can be quite challenging.
Some common early signs of MS can include:
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Fatigue
- Numbness or tingling in the face and limbs
- Vision problems, like double or blurred vision
- Balance and coordination problems
- Cognitive issues, like trouble concentrating or memory problems
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a healthcare professional before the symptoms worsen. If you have MS, early intervention can help you manage the disease more effectively.
How Regenerative Medicine Can Help Multiple Sclerosis
Regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, is a new field of medicine that has been studied for managing the onset and progression of MS. Studies have shown a lot of promise for treating various autoimmune disorders, including MS.
With this approach, stem cells are used to promote tissue repair and regeneration. The cells are taken from healthy tissues in your body and injected into the diseased or affected areas.
Stem cells have the ability to differentiate, which allows them to help repair damaged tissue in your central nervous system. They can also help regulate your immune system’s response, which can lead to a reduction in inflammation and other MS symptoms.
Stem cells’ potential to heal and regenerate tissue to reduce inflammation and slow the progression of the disease provides patients with a new alternative medicine to explore in their treatment options.
