Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was once thought to have a large effect on Caucasians of Northern European descent. Currently, research is revealing a higher incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in the black community.
You are probably wondering what Multiple Sclerosis is.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the Central Nervous System which consist of the brain and spinal cord. With MS, your immune system attacks the central nervous system eating away at the myelin sheath, a protective covering of nerves, and attacks the nerves that were wrapped under the myelin sheath leaving scars known as sclerosis. Therefore, it slows down the signals of messaging that are required to occur from brain to body. With sclerosis, it is much harder for messages to be carried along that tell your body to move. For example, if you touch a hot object on the stove with your hand, a signal from the brain to the body will notify you that you’re burning your hand and releasing the hot object. This happens in a split second with a healthy central nervous system.
MS can attack any part of the central nervous system. Symptoms appear more severe for those who have been diagnosed with MS in the black community compared to Caucasians with the MS diagnosis.
Those symptoms include earlier disability onset, frequent relapses and poor recovery, more walking problems, balance and coordination issues, difficulty with concentration, and increased visual symptoms. Fatigue is a major sign and heat intolerance is common. There is no definitive answer to what causes it. Some research articles report environmental factors may play a role, and genetics may also play a role. For example, if your sibling has MS, you are at greater risk for developing it as well.
Management of MS consists of finding a neurologist who can help with medicine management and also finding a physical therapist who specializes in the treatment of MS. As soon as you are diagnosed, you should see a Physical Therapist.
The goal in working with a physical therapist is to slow down the progression of MS, educate you on the disease process, determine what stage you may be in the disease process, and determine what you need to do to maintain your quality of life during the various stages.
Call for a free consultation today at Neurologic Optimal Wellness Physical Therapy LLC (413)-318-4776 or visit our website at www.neuroptnow.com
Dr. Katrina J. Banks, PT, DPT, CCI, CSRS, LSVT-BIG, NCS
