Multiple Sclerosis: The Opposition, The Claim, Common Ground (Essay Sample)

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Multiple Sclerosis
Background Information
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that is associated with the inflammation of the white matter of the central nervous system (CNS). It is one of the most common source of disability for young adults. It is generally considered as a genetic disease that is mediated by T cells that are auto-reactive. MS has been found to have links with the hallmarks of inflammation in the CNS like the T cells, the clonal expansion of B cells, and the antibody products. The plaques in the white matter of the CNS of the patients of MS have been revealed through gross examination of the brain tissue of the patients. It has been discovered that the condition is linked to the optic nerves, periventricular regions, spinal cord and brain stem. The active MS lesions have been found to have significant axonal injury with axonal transections in abundance (Hafler 788). Research has indicated that nearly 15% of the patients with multiple sclerosis develop primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) (Miller and Leary 903). The primary progressive multiple sclerosis is a type of the disease that has the neurological disability gradually increases (Miller and Leary 903).
The Opposition
As the disease grows, it begins to have an effect on the CD4 and the CD8 T cells. It also concurrently causes the loss of axons and myelin. MS is known to be highly inheritable. However, the existing research show that only chromosome 6, on the MHC region as a clear association with the condition (Hafler 788).
Many therapies have been used in relieving patients of multiple sclerosis. One of the therapies is the use of dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera). This medicine has been used in treating the relapsing multiple sclerosis. However, there have been reports of patients who used the medicine and developed certain undesired conditions, even to the point of death (Aschenbrenner 22). The Food and Drug Administration approved dimethyl fumarate as a medicine for minimizing or preventing the relapse of MS. However, a case was reported of a patient who developed a rare case of serious brain infection. The infection that the patient developed was the progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) (Aschenbrenner 22). PML is characterized by the symptoms like one side of the body progressively becoming weak, vision problems, clumsiness, confusion, personality changes, alterations in thinking and orientation (Aschenbrenner 23).
The Claim
Many scholars have claimed that the therapies used in treating the disease may lead to other undesired conditions (Aschenbrenner 23). However, new research show that there has been a general improvement in the diagnosis and management of the disease. Through the integration of the magnetic resonance imaging, it has been possible to effectively diagnose the disease and manage it. However, its main cause still remains in a blur. New researches have come up with immunotherapies that have the potential to stop the relapses. It is also hoped that they can delay progression.
New research has also helped in effectively establishing the link between MS and the environmental risk factors. Some of the environmental risk factors include smoking, vitamin D deficiency and prior exposure to Epstein Barr virus (EBV). These factors are believed to assist the development of MS by affecting the immune system (Wakerley, Nicholas and Malik 523). Smoking has been confirmed as a risk factor for MS. Researches that have been done indicated that those who have smoked, in comparison to those who have not, using controls, discovered that the people who had smoked were 1.3 times more likely to develop MS (Wakerley, Nicholas and Malik 523). It is suggested by researchers that smoking is able to increase the nitric oxide in the central nervous system lesions. Other environmental factors that have been identified include the geographical location, migration patterns ( Ebers 270). Ebers (273) explains that vitamin D deficiency results from factors such as sunlight, latitude and photobiology. Through outdoor activities and healthy lifestyle factors, the problem with vitamin D deficiency can be effectively minimized.
Common Ground
Despite the disparities in the views and research findings on multiple sclerosis, it is clear that there are some factors that have been common in terms of MS. For instance, it is commonly agreed that multiple sclerosis causes the inflammation of the CNS white matter. All researchers on the matter have also agreed that the condition is facilitated by automotive processes. Even though a few researchers have not come to terms with the intervention measures, immunosuppressive and immunodulatory therapies have been supported by most researchers as the most effective means of handling the disease. The use of these therapies have also contributed greatly to the confirmation of the hypothesis that autoimmunity has a significant role in the pathology of the disease. T cells and the B cell antibodies have been extensively considered with regard to their relationship with the disease. It is commonly agreed by researchers that the condition has not been extensively considered and there is need for a new direction of the research on the disease. This is especially relevant to the fact that there is still currently no specific causative agent of the disease. In order to further understand the disease and its therapies, future research need to be redesigned and redirected.
The environmental factors need to be effectively controlled and minimized in order to reduce the susceptibility to this disease. Certain groups of people who are more prone to the disease should be discouraged from smoking. Children should also be exposed to enough sunlight as they grow to avoid the cases of vitamin D deficiency ( Ebers 268).
Conclusion
The existing research on multiple sclerosis have diverse ideas about the effectiveness of the therapies that are currently being used in addressing the disease. Some researchers state that the methods that have been used have harmful side effects while others quote some of the best methods that can be used effectively. However, the common ground is that multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects especially the young adults and is widely affected by environmental factors. Scientists agree that effectively controlling these environmental factors can reduce susceptibility.
Works Cited
Aschenbrenner, Diane S. "a Rare Brain Infection with Multiple Sclerosis Drug." The American Journal of Nursing, sec. 115: 22. 2015. Web.
Ebers, GC. "Environmental Factors and Multiple Sclerosis."Lancet Neurol 7.3 (2008): 268-77. Web.
Hafler, David A....