Types Of Demyelination

Nerve cells are protected by fatty tissue sleeves called myelin sheaths. These cells are responsible for transmitting signals back and forth between the brain and other parts of the body. Myelin sheathing on the nerves is a similar concept to how an electrical wire has insulation on the outside to protect it. Many things can cause damage to the myelin sheath, which is called demyelination. When there is no myelin protective sheath around the nerves, they can become scarred. Demyelination and nerve scarring most often result in neurological problems due to the interruption in the messages being sent between the brain and the nerves of other body parts. Many factors can cause a demyelinating disease such as brain blood vessel damage, oxygen deprivation to the brain, certain genes, certain viruses, and autoimmune inflammation. Get to know the various types of demyelination now.

Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis is another inflammation caused by the immune system that affects the optic nerve, which attaches the brain to the eyes. In this condition, the immune system attacks the optic nerve and eats away at the myelin sleeve protecting it. In uncommon cases, this can be triggered by an infection and the immune system response to such infection. This condition also has a rapid onset of symptoms including the blurring of the vision, difficulty with peripheral vision, blindness, pain when moving the eyes, color vision loss, a hole in the middle of the vision, and headache. Children tend to experience optic neuritis in both eyes, while adults typically only experience it with one eye. In the majority of cases, optic neuritis will resolve on its own with time. Intravenous steroids are often prescribed to expedite the recovery process. In some cases, intravenous immune globulin may be needed as well. If the optic neuritis has been caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency, shots to replace that vitamin may be prescribed as treatment.

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Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is the most prevalent variation of demyelinating disorders, clocking in at one diagnosis per five hundred individuals. Multiple sclerosis is when the immune system attacks healthy cells in the optic nerve, brain, and spinal cord. Most cases are due to genetic factors, but it can also be a result of environmental factors as well. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis than men are. There are four variations of multiple sclerosis that differ in severity of the disorder. The immune proteins strip the nerve axons or nerve 'tails' of the myelin that protects them within the brain and spinal cord region. The massive scarring that results from this most likely results in problems with vision, odd sensations like burning and tingling, difficulty with movement, and severe fatigue. There is no way to cure multiple sclerosis, so treatment plans are based on managing the symptoms.

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