All About Ms – A Reportedly Common Diagnosis Among Some Gulf War Veterans

[pacmanx1]

All About MS – a reportedly common diagnosis among some Gulf War veterans

August 30, 2010 posted by Michael Leon ·

All About MS – a reportedly common diagnosis among some Gulf War veterans

IMAGE: Multiple sclerosis is a central nervous system disorder marked by decreased nerve function with initial inflammation of the protective myelin nerve covering and eventual scarring. Symptoms and severity of symptoms vary widely and may progress into episodes of crisis alternating with episodes of remission.

(MultipleSclerosisCentral.com) – MS; Demyelinating disease

Symptoms

Symptoms vary, because the location and severity of each attack can be different. Episodes can last for days, weeks, or months. These episodes alternate with periods of reduced or no symptoms (remissions).

Fever, hot baths, sun exposure, and stress can trigger or worsen attacks.

It is common for the disease to return (relapse). However, the disease may continue to get worse without periods of remission.

Because nerves in any part of the brain or spinal cord may be damaged, patients with multiple sclerosis can have symptoms in many parts of the body.

Muscle symptoms:

• Loss of balance
• Muscle spasms
• Numbness or abnormal sensation in any area
• Problems moving arms or legs
• Problems walking
• Problems with coordination and making small movements
• Tremor in one or more arms or legs
• Weakness in one or more arms or legs
  
  
  • Constipation and stool leakage
  • Difficulty beginning to urinate
  • Frequent need to urinate
  • Strong urge to urinate
  • Urine leakage (incontinence)
    
    
    • Double vision
    • Eye discomfort
    • Uncontrollable rapid eye movements
    • Vision loss (usually affects one eye at a time)
      
      
      • Facial pain
      • Painful muscle spasms
      • Tingling, crawling, or burning feeling in the arms and legs
        
        
        • Decreased attention span, poor judgment, and memory loss
        • Difficulty reasoning and solving problems
        • Depression or feelings of sadness
        • Dizziness and balance problems
        • Hearing loss
          
          
          • Problems with erections
          • Problems with vaginal lubrication

        Speech and swallowing symptoms:

        [*]Slurred or difficult-to-understand speech[*]Trouble chewing and swallowing

        Fatigue is a common and bothersome symptoms as MS progresses. It is often worse in the late afternoon.

        Signs and tests

        Symptoms of MS may mimic those of many other nervous system disorders. The disease is diagnosed by ruling out other conditions.

        People who have a form of MS called relapsing-remitting may have a history of at least two attacks, separated by a period of reduced or no symptoms.

        Myelin and nerve structure

        IMAGE: Myelin is the layer that forms around nerves.

        The health care provider may suspect MS if there are decreases in the function of two different parts of the central nervous system (such as abnormal reflexes) at two different times.

        A neurological exam may show reduced nerve function in one area of the body, or spread over many parts of the body. This may include:

        [*]Abnormal nerve reflexes[*]Decreased ability to move a part of the body[*]Decreased or abnormal sensation[*]Other loss of nervous system functions

        An eye examination may show:

        [*]Abnormal pupil responses[*]Changes in the visual fields or eye movements[*]Decreased visual acuity[*]Problems with the inside parts of the eye[*]Rapid eye movements triggered when the eye moves

        Tests to diagnose multiple sclerosis include:

        [*]Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) for cerebrospinal fluid tests, including CSF oligoclonal banding[*]MRI scan of the brain and MRI scan of the spine are important to help diagnose and follow MS[*]Nerve function study (evoked potential test)

        Found:

        http://www.veteranst...f-war-veterans/

[allan]

Im not sure why this article has no reference to why MS is common among Gulf War Vets at all or just how many have it.

It's common and thats it?

Has there been any studies on Vietnam vets to show if it's also common with them and if military vaccines used during Vietnam and Gulf war may have caused it?

So since it's common, is it a presumptive ilness among Gulf War Vets?

We don't know. We only know the symptoms and that its common. Not very informitive is it?

Edited September 1, 2010 by allan