Medical Author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Medically Reviewed on 12/17/2021
Doctor's Notes on Myelin Sheath Damage in MS
Myelin sheaths are coatings (nerve insulators) that protect and insulate nerve cells; it is a fatty material containing proteins – the coating prevents nerve impulses from entering and/or escaping the nerve except at their appropriate sites. In multiple sclerosis (MS), myelin sheaths are disrupted or destroyed leaving nerves unprotected and obtaining and/or sending nerve pulses inappropriately or not getting or sending any. Over time, scar formation (sclerosis) occurs that further disrupts nerve signals. Myelin sheath damage in multiple sclerosis may vary in people, but usually produce one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
- Weakness and fatigue,
- vision problems,
- walking and balance problems,
- libido problems,
- pain,
- bowel, and bladder problems cognition problems, and
- various emotional changes like mood swings, irritability, uncontrollable crying, or laughing.
The cause of myelin sheath damage and destruction is the body’s immune system that inappropriately attacks the sheaths (likely the protein[s] in myelin) and exposes the nerve fibers so they cannot function normally. Scar formation further disrupts nerve signals.
What is the treatment of myelin sheath damage resulting in MS?
Although some patients have mild symptoms and do not require treatments, there is no cure for the damaged sheaths. Treatments are designed to recover from attacks faster and to slow disease progression and decrease symptoms. The following are used for some myelin sheath-related MS attacks:- Oral and IV Corticosteroids
- Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis)
- Interferon beta
- Glatiramer acetate
- Fingolimod
- Dimethyl fumarate
- Diroximel fumarate
- Teriflunomide
- Siponimod
- Cladribine
- Ocrelizumab (only FDA approved drug for treating primary-progressive MS)
- Natalizumab
- Alemtuzumab
- Physical therapy
- Muscle relaxants
- Fatigue reducers
- Other medicines (for various associated symptoms like depression, pain, sexual dysfunction, walking speed, bladder and bowel control, and other problems)
Your doctors can set up a treatment plan for your myelin sheaths related MS problems.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) : Test Your Medical IQ Quiz
QuestionWhat kind of disease is multiple sclerosis?
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
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Central Nervous System (CNS) Parts and Function
The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord. There are two types or divisions of the nervous system. The CNS and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS connects the CNS to sensory organs, other organs of the body, glands, muscles, and blood vessels. The peripheral nerves include the 12 cranial nerves, spinal nerves and roots, autonomic nerves (the nerves that regulate the heart muscle, glands), and the blood vessel walls. -
Is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Contagious?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is not contagious. It is considered to be an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own central nervous system (specifically the myelin sheath that surrounds nerves). -
Managing MS
It is especially important for people suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) to avoid complications caused by other illnesses. Patients should take care to manage fitness, diet, sleep, and emotional stress to keep their immune system strong and increase quality of life. -
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be thought of as an inflammatory process involving different areas of the central nervous system (CNS) at various points in time. Early symptoms of multiple sclerosis include visual changes, difficulty maintaining balance, vertigo, painful muscle spasms, constipation, and urinary retention. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis, but there is a treatment for MS and its symptoms that include medications and therapy. -
Multiple Sclerosis Life Expectancy
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic nerve disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the myelin sheath insulating the nerve fibers and the nerves themselves, interrupting the electro-chemical current between the brain and body parts. This causes symptoms like incontinence, fatigue, incoordination, mood swings, numbness, and a host of other debilitating problems. Multiple sclerosis can be treated, but there is no cure for the disease. -
Multiple Sclerosis Medications
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be thought of as an inflammatory process involving different areas of the central nervous system (CNS) at various points in time. Examples of medications for treating MS include corticosteroids, for example, methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol); immuno-dilating drugs (interferons and glatiramer acetate (Capaxone); immunosuppressants, for example, Mitoxantrone (Novantrone), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), azathioprine (Imuran), or methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); optional therapies, for example, fingolimod (Gilenya); and investigational drugs. -
What Are Usually the First Signs of Multiple Sclerosis?
The five most common early symptoms of multiple sclerosis across all patients include abnormal sensations (tingling sensation or paresthesia), weakness, extreme tiredness (fatigue), pain (both muscle and nerve pain), vision disturbances (blurred or double vision). -
What Triggers Multiple Sclerosis?
There are several types of multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that disrupts the connections in the brain and spinal cord and causes a range of symptoms. Triggers for multiple sclerosis relapses include stress, infections, vaccinations (e.g., influenza, hepatitis B, or any travel vaccines), smoking, high temperatures (hot weather, saunas, hot tubs, and hot showers and baths), pregnancy, and skipping medications.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.