Introduction
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that severely impairs a person’s ability to function. This disease alters the normal pathophysiology of the human body. The cells of the brain cannot work properly and transfer information if affected by MS. This impairment leads to multiple complications as the brain can no longer control all functions of the body. This paper reviews the pathophysiology of MS and its most common complications.
Main body
At a cellular level, the brain’s neurons are the primary structures affected by MS. According to Martinez (2019), the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis has been debated for years, with some researchers claiming that this is an autoimmune condition and others pointing out to MS being neurodegenerative. Neurons are responsible for transmitting signals, for example, information about the sensations that a person receives from a touch (Multiple sclerosis, no date a; Multiple sclerosis, no date b). They are also responsible for the brain’s ability to control body functions and movements. If affected by MS, the neuron’s myelin sheath, which is the fatty layer surrounding the neurons (Papadopoulos et al., 2020). Myelin sheath is destroyed by MS, which interrupts the normal flow of signals in the brain, commonly caused by the scarring of this layer. Hence, normal physiology is altered by multiple sclerosis because the neurons cannot transmit or receive the signals as usual, after the myelin sheath is destructed by MS.
Complications that arise from multiple sclerosis are varied and depend on the severity of the condition. Minor complications include a loss of sensation, leading to an inability to smell or taste things. Impaired mobility is one of the most dangerous consequences of MS. Again, this issue is linked to the brain’s ability to transmit signals, for example, to stand up or sit down, which is adversely impacted by MS.
Conclusion
Overall, this paper reviews multiple sclerosis and its impact on normal pathophysiology. The condition impacts the neuron’s ability to transmit signals. Therefore, the normal functioning of the brain is impaired. This leads to common complications such as loss of sensations. Other complications include the inability to move or talk.
Reference list
Martinez, A. (2019) Emerging Drugs and Targets for Multiple Sclerosis. London: The Royal Society of Chemistry.
Multiple sclerosis (2020) Web.
Papadopoulos, D. et al. (2020) ‘Aging, cellular senescence, and progressive multiple sclerosis’, Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 14, pp 1-10.