Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)

Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)

Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is a type of multiple sclerosis (MS) that involves unpredictable and recurring flare ups of symptoms known as exacerbations, followed by periods of improvement and remission. RRMS is the most common form of MS and affects around 85 percent of people who are first diagnosed with the disease. RRMS typically begins in a person’s late twenties or thirties, though it can develop earlier or later.

Signs and symptoms of RRMS

The signs and symptoms of RRMS can vary widely, depending on which part of the central nervous system (CNS) has been affected. Common signs and symptoms may include:

  • Numbness, prickling, or tingling sensation in the limbs
  • Weakness or clumsiness on one side
  • Unsteady balance and coordination
  • Vision problems, such as blurred vision or double vision
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Pain or spasms
  • Slurred speech
  • Cognitive difficulties
  • Mood changes
  • Bowel and bladder problems

These symptoms may come and go with episodes of relapse and remission. During an exacerbation, the signs and symptoms may become more acute and may linger for some time. Some people may experience ongoing worsening of their symptoms, known as primary progressive MS.

Diagnosing RRMS

To diagnose RRMS, doctors will look for an MRI scan that reveals the characteristic white spots in the brain or in the spinal cord. They may also draw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to test for the presence of certain proteins, called oligoclonal bands (OCBs), which are found in the CSF of people with MS. Additional laboratory tests, such as a blood test or a spinal tap, may also be done to help make a diagnosis of MS.

Treatment of RRMS

Treatment for RRMS will depend on the type of symptoms that a person is experiencing, and may include medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, lifestyle modifications, and other therapies. Medications are the most commonly prescribed treatment for RRMS. Common medications include:

  • Corticosteroids, to reduce inflammation and inflammation-related damage
  • Disease-modifying drugs (DMDs), to slow down disease progression
  • Immunosuppressants, to reduce immune system activity
  • Immune-modulating drugs, to reduce inflammation and minimize relapse
  • Muscle relaxants, to decrease spasticity
  • Pain medications, to provide symptom relief

In addition to medications, physical and occupational therapy can help improve mobility and reduce pain and fatigue associated with MS. Education and lifestyle changes can also help manage symptoms and reduce stress.

Outlook for RRMS

The outlook for individuals with RRMS is largely dependent on the severity of the disease and the individual’s response to treatment. Most individuals with RRMS are able to lead productive lives and maintain independence. Treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of relapses and may slow or even stop the progression of the disease altogether. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor, so that you can make an informed decision about the best course of action for you.

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Related Questions

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below.The Italian banking system became the model for those North European nations that would achieve the greatest commercial success in the coming centuries, notably the Dutch, the English, and the Swedes. It was in Amsterdam, London and Stockholm that the next decisive wave of financial or innovation occurred, as the forerunners of modern central banks made their first appearance. The seventeenth century saw the foundation of three distinctly novel institutions that, in their differen in ways, were intended to serve a public as well as a private financial function. The Amsterdam Exchange Bank, i.e. the Wisselbank, was set up in 1609 to resolve the practical problems created for merchants by the circulation of multiple currencies in the United Provinces, where there were no fewer than fourteen different mints and copious quantities of foreign coins. By allowing merchants to set up accounts denominated in a standardized currency, the Exchange Bank pioneered the system of cheques and direct debits or transfers that we take for granted today. This allowed more and more commercial transactions to take place without the need for the sums involved to materialize in actual coins. Financial historians disagree as to how far the growth of banking after the seventeenth century can be credited with the acceleration of economic growth that began in Britain in the late eighteenth 20 5 century and then spread to Western Europe, North America and Australasia. But banks played a more important role in continental European industrialization than they did in England's.a) Where did the precursors of modern central banks make their first appearance? b) What practical problem was the Wisselbank required to resolve in its initial days?c) How did the Amsterdam Exchange Bank respond to the demand of the age? d) What are the points of disagreement among the financial historians with respect to growth of banking vis-a-vis growth of economy? e) Choose a suitable title for above composition.
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