On May 10, a free and open talk to the community will be held with the aim of raising awareness about this autoimmune and chronic condition that most frequently affects people between 20 and 40 years. It will take place in the auditorium of the Spanish Hospital of La Plata (Calle 9 No. 175 between 35 and 36) at 10 am. No previous registration is required.
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune and chronic condition that affects the central nervous system and in which inflammatory processes damage the myelin sheath that is the cover that protects neurons. As a consequence, a neuronal electrical conduction disorder is generated and subsequently severe damage to nerve tissue causing a wide variety of symptoms that include the loss of physical and cognitive functions.
In the future of this disease, the immune system, which normally helps fight infections, confuses myelin with a foreign body and attacks it. Researchers do not know exactly what triggers the attack of the immune system against myelin, but it is believed that it is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
The course of the disease is unpredictable, and each individual will experience a different combination of symptoms and progression throughout their lives. Some people may seem healthy for many years after diagnosis, while others may be seriously weakened. “There is no exclusive symptomatology of multiple sclerosis. But it does share symptoms with other processes associated with focal lesions of the central nervous system, such as the loss or visual decrease of an eye, double vision, fatigue or tiredness, the decrease in the force of a lower or higher limb or both, changes in sensitivity in some parts of the body, trembling or motor clumsiness,” explains Dr. Santiago Alejandro Vetere (MP 111.318 MN 87480), Neurologist consultant, head of the Neurology International Room of Higa José de San Martín de la Plata.
“It is important that those who suffer from the disease can be studied by an expert who allows them to quantify them and effectively award multiple sclerosis. An accurate diagnosis is already essential to avoid the progression of the disease and the appearance of irreparable sequelae,” he adds.
This disease is more frequently diagnosed between 20 and 40 years and is more common in women than in men, in a proportion of 3 to 1. the age and severity of the picture so early makes this disease constitute the first cause of physical disability of non -traumatic origin in young adults. Worldwide, it is estimated that the disease affects approximately 2.8 million people and its prevalence has increased substantially in the last three decades.
-Initially described in 1868 by the French neurologist Jean Martin Charcot, his first specific treatment was approved only in 1993, but from there in more numerous therapeutic options appeared, with different profiles of effectiveness and safety.
“Although there is still no definitive cure, we have a wide variety of treatments that allow modifying the course of the disease, reducing the frequency and severity of the outbreaks, and preventing the accumulation of long -term disability achieving, in most cases, the objective of absence of disease activity,” says Dr. Santiago Tizio, a neurologist (MP 115403), head of the Spanish neurology area of the Spanish neurology. “These treatments, known as disease -modifying therapies (DMTS), have radically transformed the prognosis of multiple sclerosis in the last 20 years. In turn, there are complementary approaches that include physical rehabilitation, psychological support and lifestyle management strategies, all of them destined to improve the well -being of patients.”
Talk open to the community
On Saturday, May 10 in the city of La Plata, an open talk will be held to the community with the aim of providing key information for early detection and adequate approach to multiple sclerosis. It will be in the auditorium of the Spanish Hospital of La Plata (Calle 9 No. 175 between 35 and 36) at 10 am. It is free and does not require prior registration. The event seeks to summon patients, family members, and all those people with interest in knowing more about the disease in order to receive accurate information regarding the pathology.
“Beyond the patient, it is essential that the family group can also be oriented by a professional who allows them to understand the disease. In this way, there are more possibilities that those who suffer from multiple sclerosis can receive the assistance and containment they need,” says Dr. Vétere.
“It is key to raise awareness, since it is a complex disease often poorly understood. Inform and accompany the patient and their environment is as important as prescribing a treatment. The lack of information can generate fear, stigmatization and diagnostic delays,” adds Dr. Tizio.
The talk will have the participation of medical specialists in multiple sclerosis from the city of La Plata, patients, and representatives of the Argentine (EMA) sclerosis associations and the Association for the Fight against Multiple Sclerosis (ALPEM).
