Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that develops as a result of the formation of numerous plaques in the brain and spinal cord due to a disorder in the immune system. The reasons are still not fully revealed. However, research; It shows that many factors, from viruses to smoking, from stress to excessive salt consumption, can trigger the disease. The frequent occurrence of vitamin D deficiency in MS patients has drawn attention to the relationship between MS and vitamin D for a long time. Neurology Specialist Assoc. Prof. stated that taking adequate vitamin D is not only protective against the disease, but also effective in attacks. Dr. Nergiz Hüseyinoğlu made important statements about the effects of vitamin D on MS disease.
MS, which mostly occurs in young adulthood, is a problem that affects approximately 2.3 million people in the world today. Symptoms may vary from person to person depending on the affected area of the brain. The importance of MS increases because it seriously affects the quality of life if it is not treated at an early stage. Although there have been promising developments in the treatment of MS, especially in the last 10 years, preventing attacks is also extremely important for those living with the disease. Neurology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Nergiz Hüseyinoğlu says that scientific studies conducted in recent years have shown that adequate levels of vitamin D create beneficial effects in MS patients by regulating the immune system. Assoc. Prof. explains that the severity of attacks decreases along with the number of attacks. In several studies, it has been shown that taking vitamin D in appropriate doses reduces the risk of MS by two times. Dr. Nergiz Hüseyinoğlu says, "It is thought that adequate vitamin D supplementation in children may have a long-term protective effect against MS."
Symptoms vary from person to person
The beginning of MS Spontaneous improvement of neurological findings in some patients at this stage delays referral to a physician and therefore diagnosis. Reminding that the symptoms and severity of the disease vary from person to person, Assoc. Dr. Nergiz Hüseyinoğlu gives the following information about the findings that occur in patients with MS: “Numbness, tingling, pins and needles, loss of strength in the arm and leg on one side of the body or in both legs.” I, spasm, muscle stiffness, cramps, vision loss, double vision, urinary incontinence and urinary urgency, speech disorder, sexual dysfunction, loss of balance, fatigue, depression may be observed.
Vitamin D is used in the treatment of MS. provides a significant effect
Scientific studies on the relationship between MS and vitamin D are still continuing. According to the information obtained, vitamin D deficiency also increases the relapse rates in MS. Reminding that vitamin D deficiency is frequently encountered in patients, Neurology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Nergiz Hüseyinoğlu continues: “In particular, the drugs used for attack treatment, patients' less active lives due to physical disability, spending most of their days in closed environments or not being able to benefit from the sun sufficiently are shown as the reasons for this situation. However, there are also scientific studies showing that adequate levels of vitamin D have positive effects on MS patients by regulating the immune system.”
Pay attention to these when storing vitamin D!
MS Although the benefits of vitamin D in the disease are known, on the other hand, it can trigger patients to have attacks due to exposure to heat and increased body temperature. Therefore, while the need for vitamin D is met, the risk of progression of the disease may also arise. For this reason, Assoc. Prof. said that MS patients should be careful when using the sun. Dr. Nergiz Hüseyinoğlu makes the following suggestions: “First of all, the hours after 10 in the morning and 16 in the afternoon, when the sun's rays are more oblique, should be preferred. Sunbathing time should not be longer than 20-30 minutes. However, care should be taken to avoid direct sunlight to the head, neck and spinal cord area. For MS patients, even sunbathing only the arms and legs, not the whole body, can be enough.”
A regular and healthy life prevents attacks
The best way to control MS attacks is. Neurology Specialist Assoc. Prof. pointed out that the important way is to regularly apply treatments that prevent attacks. Dr. Nergiz Hüseyinoğlu “Patients can store enough vitamin D during the summer months without triggering MS attacks. In addition, sleeping regularly, eating low-fat and rich in vegetables, age group Exercising according to physical fitness, avoiding stress, not smoking and regular medical check-ups are also important in protecting against attacks. "In addition, it is important to use vitamin D as a medicine in the doses recommended by the doctor," he says.
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