• Source:JND

Imagine waking up and your body doesn’t respond; your vision is blurry; you experience tingling in your limbs and walking feels like a challenge. This is the reality for many people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic, progressive and often disabling neurological condition that disrupts communication between the brain and body. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath, the protective layer around nerve fibres, leading to a range of neurological impairments.

In a conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr Dheeraj Khurana, Professor - Department of Neurology, PGIMER, Chandigarh explained about multiple sclerosis.

Invisible Symptoms Of Multiple Sclerosis

The symptoms of MS are unpredictable and differ from patient to patient, ranging from persistent fatigue, muscle weakness and numbness to visual disturbances, loss of balance and cognitive challenges. If left untreated and not diagnosed early, the disease can cause irreversible disability. These invisible and often misunderstood symptoms can be debilitating, impacting daily functioning, mental well-being and economic independence. For example, fatigue in MS isn’t just tiredness. It’s exhaustion that can impair one’s ability to work, socialise or manage daily tasks. Similarly, cognitive dysfunction may disrupt memory, attention and decision-making. This sends waves of effect on professional performance, interpersonal relationships and self-confidence.

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Risk Factors For Multiple Sclerosis

Several risk factors for MS include vitamin D deficiency which is prevalent across the population. In addition to globally acknowledged factors like gender, age and genetic predisposition, these local environmental and nutritional triggers are increasingly relevant in understanding MS in India.

The Role Of Timely Treatment

Living well with MS is possible but the key lies in timely diagnosis and initiation of highly efficacious disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). These therapies are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of relapses, delay the progression of disability, and preserve long-term neurological function.

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Diet, exercise and mental health support play an essential role in improving quality of life and managing symptoms effectively. Managing the psychological effects is as crucial as tackling physical symptoms. Research indicates that more than 50% of individuals with MS have depression or anxiety which highlights the immense need for mental health support as part of routine care.