Understanding Multiple Sclerosis Subtypes

Despite the ongoing efforts of medical scientists toseven different subtypes. The first subtype of
reveal the factors responsible for causing multiplemultiple sclerosis is the relapsing-remitting multiple
sclerosis, the exact reasons why the disorder occurssclerosis (RR MS), the most common form of the
in otherwise healthy persons remain unknown.autoimmune disorder. According to statistics, more
Although various factors are suspected to trigger thethan 80 percent of all multiple sclerosis cases are of
occurrence of multiple sclerosis (viral or bacterialthe relapsing-remitting subtype. This subtype is
infections) or to facilitate its progression (geneticcharacterized by phases of symptomatic remission,
dysfunctions and various external, environmentalfollowed by phases of relapse (characterized by
factors), medical scientists haven’t yet reached asudden intensification of symptoms). The duration of
consensus regarding the exact causes of thethe phases of relapse and remission vary from a
disorder.patient to another, lasting anywhere from several
Multiple sclerosis is a type of autoimmune disorder,weeks to several years.
involving abnormal activity of the immune system,The second subtype of multiple sclerosis –
which turns against healthy body cells instead ofprimary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PP MS)
fighting against intruding infectious agents. The bodyaccounts for around 20 percent of all multiple
cells which are primarily targeted by the immunesclerosis cases. The major characteristics of this
system in the case of patients with multiple sclerosissubtype are gradual progression of the disease, with
are nerve cells. In fact, the autoimmune response ofvery short phases of remission. The third multiple
the body doesn’t destroy nerve cells directly;sclerosis subtype is similar to the PP MS subtype and
the dysfunctional immune system produces antibodiesis called secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SP
that destroy myelin, a protein that wraps around theMS). Patients with primary-progressive multiple
cells of the nervous system, facilitating thesclerosis have 50 percent chances to eventually
communication between the central nervous systemdevelop secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis.
(CNS – brain and spinal cord) and peripheralThe fourth subtype of multiple sclerosis is called
nerves and vice versa.progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis (PR MS) and is
At first, multiple sclerosis causes impairments only atcharacterized by gradual progression with frequent
the level of the central nervous system. In morephases of symptomatic exacerbation. The fifth
advanced stages of progression, multiple sclerosis canmultiple sclerosis subtype alternates between the
involve virtually any innervated region of the bodyprimary-progressive, secondary-progressive and
(any part of the body that contains a network ofprogressive-relapsing forms of the disease. The sixth
nerves). Without proper medical treatment - which ismultiple sclerosis subtype is benign multiple sclerosis,
most effective when administered in early stages ofcharacterized by an initial symptomatic flare which
disease – multiple sclerosis can cause a variety ofcan be followed by slow or no progression at all. The
disabilities and sometimes even death.seventh and last multiple sclerosis subtype is also
Depending on its patterns of progression, as well asvery rare. It is called malignant multiple sclerosis and
the intensity and frequency of its generatedinvolves rapid progression and very intense
symptoms, multiple sclerosis can be categorized insymptoms. This subtype is in most cases deadly.