MS is a chronic disease, more common in women, affecting the fatty substance known as myelin, which is wrapped around the nerve fibres of the central nervous system.

Myelin insulates the nerve fibres known as axons and allows for electrical impulses or signals to be sent from the brain to the rest of the body.

In MS sufferers, the myelin becomes inflamed and begins to disintegrate, resulting in the nerve fibres being incapable of transmitting pulses or signals.

Four types of MS are generally found, says Multiple Sclerosis South Africa (MSSA).

Relapsing-remitting MS affects about 35 percent of all patients and shows continuous relapse and remission.

Secondary progressive MS starts off with relapse and remission but progresses to a gradual loss of bodily functions and is found in 30 percent of sufferers.

Where there is no relapse and a loss of bodily functions over a period of years, a patient is said to suffer from primary progressive MS, which is found in 20 percent to 30 percent of patients.

Benign MS starts off as relapsing-remitting MS but after about 15 years there are hardly any bodily handicaps present.

This form affects about 10 percent to 15 percent of patients.

Although there are no current statistics available for MS sufferers in South Africa, MSSA says only 800 patients are registered with the organisation.

Ivan Stander, MSSA vice-chairperson, said the majority of MS sufferers were not registered with the organisation.

He said that without a complete register, MS patients and the disease would continue to remain relatively unknown.

"Without this crucial information, support and government representation will not be forthcoming," said Stander, an MS sufferer himself.

MSSA recently initiated a study to capture personal information on its members as well as those not yet registered with the organisation.

"Information required for the survey entails age, ethnic group, type of MS diagnosed, medication and type of tests done to confirm diagnosis," Stander said.

Neurologist Jean Luyckx says signs of MS normally appear between the ages of 20 and 40.

"The progress of MS is variable and depends on the speed of the myelin disintegration," she said.

Symptoms caused by MS depended on the site of myelin inflammation and disintegration in the central nervous system, with some symptoms seen more frequently than others, Luyckx said.

"These (symptoms) are diverse and vary between individuals. They are either temporary or progressive."

Common symptoms include optic neuritis - inflammation of the optic nerve causing partial or total loss of vision, loss of muscle strength in the limbs, short-term memory loss, problems with balance and co-ordination, and depression.

"The effects of the symptoms often depend on the ability of the individual to deal with them and adapt their quality of life accordingly," said Luyckx.

Although MS couldn't be diagnosed with certainty in its early stages, said Luyckx, progressive MS could be diagnosed.

"The severity of the symptoms and the pattern of occurrence are important factors in diagnosing the disease," she said.

Diagnosis is usually done by MRI scan, lumbar puncture or by a process known as "evoked potentials" where it is possible to establish whether nervous impulses are slowed down in the nerve fibres as a result of myelin disintegration.

"Although MS cannot be cured, it can be treated with medication and lifestyle adaptation," said Luyckx.

MS sufferers or other interested parties who want to participate in the MSSA study or find out more about the disease, can call the MSSA helpline on 0860 45 6772 or Ivan Stander at 011 615 8515.

This article was originally published on page 6 of Pretoria News on February 23, 2005

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