Multiple Sclerosis is divided into four types and the most common form is Remitting Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis. Periods of relapses followed by remissions are how Remitting Relapsing MS gets its name. Symptoms may come and go for days, weeks, or years before they are connected to RRMS. People diagnosed with RR Multiple Sclerosis may experience multiple symptoms with debilitating effects; however, during the periods of remission, they will partially or fully recover. More women are diagnosed with MS then men, but both tend to have similar symptoms.
These symptoms arise when the immune system begins attacking nerve cells. Once the myelin sheath on the outside of the cells becomes inflamed, symptoms start to appear. The areas of inflammation show up on MRI scans and are called lesions. These lesions are found on either the brain or spinal cord and the location of each scar determines the symptoms created. For instance, MS lesions on the brain affect the upper portion of the body, while scarring found on the spinal cord tend to affect the lower extremities.
A list of more than 50 symptoms is connected to MS in general, but not all show up in every MS patient. Some signs and symptoms seen with RRMS include; weakness in limbs, burning, itching, numbness, tingling, fatigue, lack of coordination, blurred vision, memory lapses, and a loss of balance. As long as these symptoms continue to come and go, this type of MS is considered to be Remitting Relapsing. Once the disease begins to progress and neurological damage is obvious, then RRMS is believed to have changed to SPMS. This conversion from one type of MS to another may take 10 to 30 years; it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact time frame.
Treatment for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis
Acute attacks of Relapsing MS are generally treated with medications known as glucocorticoids. In order to modify the disease, 4 kinds of medications are given to patients with RRMS; interferon beta-1a, interferon beta-1b, glatiramer acetate, and natalizumab. Each of these drugs is supposed to prevent the disease from progressing and is given via injection. Fingolimod is the newest form of disease-modifying medication for MS patients and it is taken orally.
These 5 meds not only help to reduce the level of disability seen with Remitting Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis, but they also decrease the rate of relapse and lower the number of lesions created on the brain and spinal cord. Researchers are always looking for ways to prevent remitting relapsing MS from changing into one of the more advanced stages of MS. Hopefully someday soon they will be able to eliminate MS altogether.
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