Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a rare disorder where the body’s immune system accidentally attacks the protective covering of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.

This damage disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to the symptoms that may be mild to severe to severe.

Despite being recognized worldwide for more than a century, MS is still diagnosed in India. The Indian Multiple Sclerosis Registry and Network (IMSRN) estimates that hundreds of thousands of Indian conditions can live, yet many are unknown.

Women between the ages of 20 and 40 are unevenly affected, making it a pressure issue for young adults.

Until a few years ago, India was considered a low -risk area for MS. But now, experts believe that the country has moved to a medium-risk area. This means that more Indians are already weaker than thought, but unfortunately, the diagnosis rate has not been caught.

One of the main reasons is that there is a lack of awareness between patients and sometimes healthcare providers.

Vice President and Head of Neurology at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket. Joy Dev Mukherjee says, “MS is one of the most wrong conditions in medicine.” “Constant myths not only cause fear, but also delay in timely treatment. It is necessary to separate the facts from misconceptions.”

Early diagnosis, symptoms

The initial recognition of MS symptoms may be life-changing. With modern disease-propelled treatments, the progression of the condition can be slow. Starting treatment at the right time helps reduce relaxes, reduces the chances of permanent disability, and improves the quality of life.

Unfortunately, many patients in India face late diagnosis because early symptoms are often unclear, such as fatigue, tingling sensations, blurred vision, or difficulty in maintaining balance.

These signs are easily incorrect for minor health issues, and patients usually delay a neurologist in view until the disease is advanced. Advanced symptoms may include severe muscle weakness, hardness and loss of coordination, which makes it difficult to walk and sometimes require wheelchairs.

The speech can be slid, and can be challenging to swallow, which increases the risk of knee. Double vision, uncontrolled eye movements, or even partial blindness may have problems.

The bladder and bowel control can deteriorate, causing incontinence or retention. Chronic nerve pain, burning sensations, or electric-shock-like shocks may occur continuously, while extreme fatigue and cognitive decline, such as memory loss, poor concentration, and slow thinking, thinking more impact daily life.

Emotional changes such as depression, anxiety, or sudden uncontrollable laughter or crying can also emerge. Together, these symptoms reduce freedom, which supports everyday activities in advanced MS.

While the exact cause is unknown, risk factors include genetics, low vitamin D, Epstein-bar viruses and smoking.

Clean myths

One of the biggest obstacles for timely care is the cloud of myths around MS. Dr. Mukherjee highlighted some of the most common people:

• “MS is not healing.” This is wrong. While there is no cure for MS, effective treatment exists that can slow down its progress when it starts early.
• “It only causes weakness.” In fact, MS can also present vision problems, sensory disturbances, balance issues and more.
• “Children cannot get MS.” Although less common, MS can affect both children and the elderly, not only adults in the 20 to 40s.
• “People with MS should not have children.” Pregnancy is safe in MS, and in fact, relay rate decreases often during pregnancy. Proper medical guidance is important.

Break up

The first time has passed in more than 148 years described by MS French neurologist Jean-Martin Charkot, yet even today, its real spread in India is not clear.

Customists continue to keep MS in the shade around cultural stigma around the lack of reliable data, low awareness and neurological conditions.

Experts say the way forward is to improve awareness campaigns, encouraging patients to seek neurological evaluation for unexplained symptoms and strengthen the country’s MS registry.