Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms in Children

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition, where the protective myelin sheaths that cover the nerves of the central nervous system degenerate, which in turn, disrupts the normal communication between the brain and the rest of the body. In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks and destroys the myelin sheaths of the nerves that facilitate the conduction of nerve impulses. The damage to the nerves caused by multiple sclerosis is usually not reversible. The disease eventually affects vision, speech, walking and the cognitive functions, which are controlled by the nervous system. The prognosis of multiple sclerosis in children can depend on several factors such as, the extent of nerve damage and the specific nerves that are affected.

Causes and Risk Factors of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease and so, it is characterized by abnormal immune response to the healthy tissues of the body. The immune system mistakenly identifies the healthy tissues of the body as foreign invaders, and so attacks them. In this condition, the immune system attacks the fatty myelin sheaths that cover the nerves. The disease causes inflammation of the myelin sheaths and eventually their disappearance or demyelination. Factors like, genetics, as well as foreign agents like, viruses are supposed to have an important role in the development of autoimmunity. Multiple sclerosis more commonly affects individuals in the age group of 20 to 40 years, and women are more likely to develop this condition. The disease is more common in white people, especially those from the northern Europe. It has been observed that people with certain underlying disorders such as, type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease and inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to develop this condition.

Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Depending on the particular nerves affected, multiple sclerosis can present a number of neurological symptoms. The symptoms of this condition can sometimes resolve for a period of time and then again resurface. This is because, this disease is characterized by the remission periods, which can be partial or total. Problems in balance and coordination, vision problems and abnormal skin sensations are some of the typical symptoms in both children and adults. Out of these, abnormal skin sensations like, numbness, tingling or pricking sensations, muscle weakness, eye related discomforts are some of the early signs of this condition.

The early symptoms in children are a bit difficult to recognize, as many other health conditions can also produce similar symptoms. The symptoms of MS become more prominent as the disease progresses and interferes with more functions of the body.

• Sudden loss of vision in one eye
• Double or blurred vision
• Pain during eye movement
• Uncontrollable eye movement
• Difficulty in walking
• Difficulty in maintaining balance and coordination or ataxia
• Muscle weakness and spasms
• Weakness in one side of the body
• Loss of muscle tone and muscle stiffness
• Tremors
• Muscle twitching
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Bladder problems like, urinary incontinence or inability to empty the bladder completely
• Bowel problems like, constipation or bowel incontinence
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Pain, especially in the arms and legs
• Abnormal speech pattern
• Problems with attention, concentration and memory

Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

It is not a curable disease and so, treatment is basically aimed towards symptoms alleviation or management. The medications that are commonly used for the treatment are, corticosteroids, interferons, glatiramer, immunoglobulins, natalizumab and mitoxantrone. Along with medications, physical therapy and plasma exchange procedure are also employed for treating and managing this health problem.

Regular exercise, a well-balanced diet and adequate rest can help a lot in managing some of these symptoms. An appropriate diet can be designed with the help of your dietitian and doctor. Heat and an increase in body temperature can exacerbate the symptoms in some children. However, many patients of multiple sclerosis may not have such problems. But still, it is better to maintain caution while taking a warm bath or shower. To know more about the factors that can worsen these symptoms in children, you can talk to your physician. This can help to prevent the aggravation of the symptoms and improve the quality of life.