MS optic neuritis is a type of an inflammation of the optic nerve. Multiple Sclerosis optic neuritis affects the bundle of nerve fibers that work to transmit visual information to the brain from the eye. Common symptoms of this ailment are pain and temporary vision loss. Optic neuritis develops along with an autoimmune disorder that can sometimes be caused by an infection. Sometimes, the signs and symptoms of this ailment can be an indication of multiple sclerosis. MS itself is a condition that results in inflammation and damage to nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
The symptoms of Devic’s disease can be very similar to the symptoms of MS; however, this is a fairly rare disease. Devic’s requires a completely different treatment than that used for MS, due to being caused by the immune system triggering a specific protein within the body. The protein in question can be found in the cells of the nervous system. This protein is called aquaporin. Aquaporin is responsible for helping the conduction of water through the cell’s membrane.
Sometimes, people who are being exposed to antituberculosis or clioquinol drugs can also be afflicted by Devic’s disease. Researchers have found that being treated for neuromyelitis optica can also relieve many different symptoms that arise with Devic’s Syndrome.
Treatment for Patients with Devic’s
Blindness is a common symptom of Devic’s since the nerves in the eyes are damaged. Additional symptoms can happen when the spinal cord becomes inflamed such as limb weakness, paralysis in the arms or legs, muscle spasms, loss of bowel or bladder control, and a lack of sensation anywhere in the body. There are a lot of different medications that can treat these symptoms. Methylprednisolone and immunoglobulin can be used as treatments and are usually administered intravenously. Along with this corticosteroids may also be prescribed.
Medications do work in a different manner for each individual, so there are no guarantees when it comes to the outcome. However, most patients see an improvement in MS optic neuritis within a few weeks once the administration of drugs begins. Among these improvements, it is possible to see a partial recovery and a very much lessened signs of disability. The first treatment usually administered is an intravenous dose of glucocorticoids. If the Multiple Sclerosis optic neuritis doesn’t subside, additional treatments are given. Patients can be given cyclophosphamide or plasmapheresism. The latter treatment works by drawing blood, removing the plasma and treating it, and then putting the plasma and the blood back into the body.
