Demyelinating Diseases

Demyelinating disease is a common disease causing harm to the brain and the nerves. While it is not necessarily life-threatening, it could cause multiple sclerosis and other such diseases which in turn could cause loss of sight or even brain damage.

Demyelinating Diseases

• A demyelinating disease is any disorder that causes damage to the protective covering called myelin sheath surrounding the brain nerves and also the spinal cord. When this myelin sheath has been damaged, the nerve impulses slow or may even stop completely, thereby becoming a cause for certain neurological problems.

Kinds of Demyelinating Diseases

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common demyelinating diseases. With this disorder, the immune system of the body attacks the myelin sheath or the cells producing the sheath. This, in turn, causes injury and inflammation of the sheath and the nerves surrounding it. This results in multiple scarring or sclerosis, which gradually slows and blocks nervous signals that manage sight, muscle coordination, touch and strength.

Other types of demyelinating diseases

• Optic neuritis is a condition caused by the inflammation of the optic nerve leading to partial or full loss of vision. Devic disease, also known as neuromyelitis optica, is caused by the inflammation of both the spinal cord and optic nerve resulting in pain, blindness, muscle weakness or even paralysis. Transverse myelitis is caused by the inflammation of spinal cord, leading to weakness in muscles, pain or paralysis.
  Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is caused when there is an inflammation in the brain and spinal cord leading to headaches, delirium, seizures or even a coma.
  Adrenoleukodystrophy and adrenomyeloneuropathy are very rare demyelinating disorders that are generally inherited from the family and could lead to mental deterioration, muscle spasms, weakness and sight and hearing loss.

Treatments

• Many treatments are being tried with modest success. In an effort to reduce the development of the disease, it appears that the use of ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland, is of use in such cases. Good rest and avoiding strenuous physical activities are essential during the relapse. Good medical care and physiotherapy prevents skin infections and problems such as sores, muscle spasms and paralysis.

Causes and Cure

• The reason for demyelinating disease are unambiguous. Genetics plays an important role just as some other infections, exposure to toxins and other things does. There is not much somebody could do to lessen the risk of developing a demyelinating disease, although patients at risk will have to consider neurological exams and other means to determine the early signs of this disease. Once the disease has been identified, it could be helpful to know the cause, as this could alter the treatment, but it is more important to concentrate on managing the disease itself.