A demyelinating disease is any condition that results in damage to the protective covering (myelin sheath) that surrounds nerve fibers in your brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. When the myelin sheath is damaged, nerve impulses slow or even stop, causing neurological problems.

Multiple Sclerosis is common demyelinating disease. Other disorders include optic neuritis, NMO spectrum disorder and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic illness involving your central nervous system (CNS). The immune system attacks myelin, which is the protective layer around nerve fibers.

This causes inflammation and scar tissue, or lesions. This can make it hard for your brain to send signals to the rest of your body.

• Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of your body at a time, or the legs and trunk
• Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement
• Prolonged double vision
• Tingling or pain in parts of your body
• Electric-shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward (Lhermitte sign)
• Tremor, lack of coordination or unsteady gait
• Slurred speech
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Problems with bowel and bladder function

• MRI scan – MRI brain with whole spine with contrast study
• Evoked potentials test – Visual evoked potential (VEP), Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER)
• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)- CSF Analysis including Oligoclonal band.
• Blood tests - To eliminate other conditions with similar symptoms.

Acute relapse of MS

• Corticosteroids

Injectable medications

• Interferon beta-1a
• Interferon beta-1b
• Glatiramer acetate
• Peginterferon beta-1a
• Rituximab

Oral medications

• Teriflunomide
• Dimethyl fumarate
• Fingolimod

Infused Medications

• Alemtuzumab
• Mitoxantrone
• Ocrelizumab
• Natalizumab

Other Treatment

• Physical therapy
• Drugs for symptomatic treatment