World Multiple Sclerosis Day

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). The immune defence system, which fights bacteria and viruses, malfunctions and attacks the myelin, the protective sheath of nerve fibres that plays an important role in the propagation of nerve impulses from the brain to the various parts of the body.

According to the French Ministry of Health, the disease affects more than 100,000 people in France, ¾ of whom are women. Every year, 2,500 new cases are diagnosed, often in young adults. In this sense, MS represents the^1st cause of severe non-traumatic disability in young adults.

Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) often occurs in the form of attacks, and the signs vary depending on the location of the lesions in the spinal cord or brain:

• balance problems
• motor problems,
• tingling
• tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, visual or urinary problems, etc.

The course of this chronic disease is unpredictable, and the variation in signs makes diagnosis difficult. It is therefore essential to consult a neurologist as soon as symptoms appear.

An initial assessment, including a neurological work-up, blood samples and a medical imaging examination, is often proposed to investigate further and enable a diagnosis of MS to be made.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is used to identify areas of inflammation in the brain or spinal cord, which may be numerous despite the absence of any suggestive symptoms.

Multiple sclerosis and the hepatitis B vaccine:

Vaccination against Hepatitis B, as well as vaccination against papillomavirus infections, have been put forward as possible causes of multiple sclerosis.
Numerous studies have been carried out, with reassuring results. The health authorities have reaffirmed that there is no causal link between vaccination and the onset of multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis is the result of an interaction between genetic and environmental factors, which have not yet been clearly identified.

Management of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis requires multidisciplinary care, from the general practitioner to the neurologist who will prescribe a therapeutic treatment, via the rehabilitation doctor.
A whole network of healthcare professionals is also involved: nurses, care assistants, psychologists, physiotherapists, etc.

Treatment of multiple sclerosis

There is no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, a number of treatments are prescribed for this disease in an attempt to slow its progress and reduce its symptoms, which sometimes cause pain:

• Crisis treatments, which act on relapses and acute attacks
• Symptomatic treatments, which act on everyday symptoms and improve quality of life
• In-depth treatments that act on the immune system.

Hôpital Privé la Casamance and Multiple Sclerosis:

A medical team of 9 neurologists provides neurological consultations, examinations and check-ups, as well as follow-up care for patients with multiple sclerosis.
A neurological medicine unit also admits patients on a full hospitalisation basis if necessary.

A complete care pathway is offered to users suffering from MS. Treatment is provided by our neurologists, and day hospital follow-up with a therapeutic education programme may be offered.

We also have a re-education and rehabilitation department specialising in neurological and neurodegenerative pathologies.