- Worldwide there are about 2.5 million people with this disease.
- It usually appears between the ages of 20 and 40.
- In Mexico there is no official figure but it is estimated that there are between 11 and 20 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants.
There are health problems that generate many unknowns today. Such is the case of the multiple sclerosis because its origin is not yet known with certainty, although there are some early signs with which their suffering can be suspected. That is why it is important to know this type of information, although in the end the accurate diagnosis can only be made by a specialist.
What does the disease consist of?
First of all, it is necessary to remember that the multiple sclerosis It is an inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system. It is characterized by demyelinating plaques in the brain and spinal cord.
Also because it produces neurological problems in the form of attacks, also called relapses or in the form of progression. It typically begins between the ages of 20 and 40, but thanks to constant research and drug development, it is now considered a treatable and controllable disease.
Incidence in Mexico and the rest of the world
To date it is estimated that there are 2.5 million people in the world with multiple sclerosis. With respect to Mexico, the figure varies between 11 and 20 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants. Multiple sclerosis affects women more, typically 3:1 relative to men. When it occurs in men, it occurs at older ages and its prognosis may be worse.
In the framework of World Multiple Sclerosis Daywhich is commemorated every May 30, Cleveland Clinic, A nonprofit, multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education, shares four early signs that should not be ignored:
- Painful loss of vision in one eye. Vision problems can have many causes. But if you have painful vision loss or blurred vision in one eye that lasts more than a couple of days, you need to see a specialist.
- Facial paralysis. When one side of the face is temporarily paralyzed or appears droopy, it is called facial paralysis and immediate attention is required.
- Persistent weakness or numbness of the extremities. We’ve all experienced numbness or tingling in an arm or leg after sleeping in an awkward position or sitting incorrectly for too long. However, if it persists for more than a day or two, don’t ignore it.
- Intense and continuous dizziness. Dizziness has many causes, but MS-induced dizziness is usually more severe and lasts at least two days.
“If there are neurological symptoms in young people, it is important to see a neurologist. And if multiple sclerosis is suspected, MRI of the brain and spinal cord are the most useful tests. In some cases, a lumbar puncture is needed to confirm the diagnosis, but not always,” says Daniel Ontaneda, a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.
The multiple sclerosis There is still no cure, but there are more than two dozen drugs that control the disease. They all work in different ways, but their purpose is to decrease the number of new attacks and injuries.
Drugs that can restore neurological function are also under investigation, in clinical trials, but have not yet been approved.