Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and atherosclerosis are often confused. They sound similar, but affect the body in different ways! The key to understanding the connection between the two lies in the end of both: the word sclerosis.
Sclerosis in itself is a condition. It is the abnormal hardening of a tissue or body part, such as muscles or arteries. However, in MS and atherosclerosis, the hardening occurs in different parts of the body. This means different symptoms, side effects, and treatments. Here, PatientsLikeMe will do a deep dive into the two conditions and what you need to know about each of them.
Multiple Sclerosis
MS is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers, called myelin. This leads to inflammation and damage to the nerves. This can disrupt communication between the brain and the rest of the body, resulting in a wide range of symptoms. Where does the hardening come in? When the myelin is damaged, it forms scar tissue. This tissue is the sclerosis in MS. The areas can also be called plaques or lesions. When these tissues harden, the cannot conduct electricity to and from the brain as normally intended.
Symptoms
Symptoms of MS vary widely. They can include fatigue, weakness, numbness or tingling in the limbs, muscle stiffness or spasms. You may also experience difficulty walking, coordination problems, vision problems, bladder and bowel dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and mood changes.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of MS is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors. Risk factors for MS include family history, certain viral infections, smoking, low vitamin D levels, and being female. Women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with MS than men.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of MS typically involves a combination of medical history, neurological exams, imaging tests, and other tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. Treatment for MS aims to manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life. This may include medications to reduce inflammation and immune system activity, manage symptoms such as muscle stiffness and pain, and disease-modifying therapies to reduce relapses and slow disease progression. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lifestyle modifications (such as exercise, stress management, and a healthy diet) may also be recommended.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition that involves the buildup of plaque inside the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time, plaque can harden and narrow the arteries. This in turn reduces blood flow to vital organs and tissues.
Symptoms
Atherosclerosis may not cause symptoms until it progresses and narrows the arteries significantly. Symptoms can include chest pain or discomfort (angina), shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, palpitations, and pain or cramping in the legs, especially during physical activity.
Risk Factors
There are a number of risk factors to be aware of for atherosclerosis. They include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes and obesity. A lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, family history of heart disease, and older age can also contribute.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of atherosclerosis may involve physical exams, blood tests, imaging tests (such as ultrasound, CT scan, or angiography), and other tests to check the heart's function and blood flow. Treatment for atherosclerosis focuses on reducing the risk of complications such as heart attack and stroke. This may include lifestyle changes (such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight), medications to lower cholesterol levels, manage blood pressure, prevent blood clots, and control other risk factors, and procedures such as angioplasty or surgery to open blocked arteries.
MS and atherosclerosis are two distinct medical conditions that affect different systems in the body. MS involves damage to the central nervous system, while atherosclerosis involves the buildup of plaque in the arteries. It is good to acknowledge their similarities however! Understanding the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for each condition is important to ensure appropriate management and care.
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