Description
In this video, Dr. Sriwastava neurologist explains what multiple sclerosis (MS) is, how it affects the body, and why early diagnosis and treatment matter. MS is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves—leading to symptoms that can impact everything from vision and memory to walking, sensation and bladder function.
Dr. Sriwastava breaks down common symptoms, the role of MRI and spinal taps in diagnosis, and the remarkable progress in treatment over the past few decades. With more than 20 effective medications now available—and options like stem cell therapy—patients have more hope than ever in slowing disease progression.
You’ll also learn about risk factors such as low vitamin D and limited sunlight exposure, and how MS occurs when the immune system becomes improperly regulated. This video offers a clear, compassionate overview to help patients better understand MS and their treatment options.
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Transcript
MS is inflammation. The way I explain it is your brain is under a lot of inflammation because of these inflammatory cells that are trying to attack the brain, the spine and the optic nerve.
So the way I tell my patients is to think of MS itself as something that can involve everything from the head to the toe. And what does that mean?
If you’re looking at the brain, it can cause trouble with concentration and memory problems. When it comes to the eyes, you can become blind or have significant loss of vision.
When it comes to the limbs, it can cause spasticity, contractures and difficulty using motor function—whether that’s having trouble walking, limping or not being able to use your hands. It can also cause sensory symptoms where you’re not able to feel your arms and legs because of sensory problems. It can also involve bladder symptoms, leading to urinary issues.
These are some of the most common symptoms you can encounter in multiple sclerosis. In fact, I’ve written a book on multiple sclerosis that was published a couple of years ago.
The most important diagnostic tool we use is called MRI imaging, and then we add on a spinal tap on a case-by-case basis.
The most important part to understand is that before 1990, there were zero drugs for MS. But now, we have more than 20 MS medications, and the good news is that these medications can prevent the progression of the disease by close to 80 to 90%. We have gone from zero drugs to stem cell therapy, so there has been a huge and remarkable step up in treatment outcomes.
These are all autoimmune conditions, and the risk factors for multiple sclerosis include low vitamin D and low exposure to sunlight. As I mentioned, this is an inflammation that can happen to anybody because the immune system becomes auto-dysregulated.
