Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the nervous system, in that the body attacks the myelin that surrounds the nerve fibers. Demyelination is what disrupts the communication between the brain and the body. The location of myelin deterioration determines the severity of impairment. Types of impairments that are prevalent among MS patients include "speech disturbance, balance problems, vertigo (dizziness), blurred vision, gait difficulties, and tremors (Mobily & Macneil, 2002, p. 227). There are three different types of MS; Relapse-Remitting MS, Primary Progressive MS, and Secondary Progressive MS. These three types of MS can widely vary in characteristics which is why MS is such a unique disease. This paper will describe the etiology of MS, the primary and secondary characteristics that MS expresses which assist in the elaborate nature of diagnosing the disease, and how Therapeutic Recreation Specialists can provide interventions that will target the disposition of the disease according to the individual. .
Etiology of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
In order to get a better understanding of the etiology of MS, Jankosky, Deussing, Gibson & Haverkos (2012) provided an interpretation of the military term "friendly fire " which is used to "describe inadvertent firing toward one's own or otherwise friendly forces while attempting to engage enemy forces. The cause of "friendly fire " is attributed to the confusion inherent in warfare, commonly referred to as the "fog of war." In reference to the causation of an autoimmune disease, MS may be a result of "an autoimmune reaction toward self-antigens (errors of identification) induced by molecular mimicry of viral proteins (the "enemy "). Vitamin D deficiency might create the "fog of war " by interfering with normal development and function of the immune system " (Jankosky, Deussing, Gibson & Haverkos, 2012).
The specific cause of MS is unknown; however there does seem to be some common findings between studies.