Life Expectancy of an MS Patient: A Quick Guide

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease that causes the immune system to attack the body’s nerve fibers. It affects people between the ages of 20 to 40 and is usually attributed to a mix of genetic and environmental factors. While the disease itself is not fatal, patients tend to succumb to complications in later stages, making the average life expectancy of Multiple Sclerosis patients a few years shorter than that of a healthy person. Let’s take a closer look at how MS manifests and what patients should know about disease progression and life expectancy.

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the central nervous system (CNS). It is an autoimmune demyelinating disease, which means the immune system mistakenly attacks normal tissues — in this case, the myelin or protective covering around nerve fibers. This leaves scarred tissues or lesions in multiple areas, disrupting electrical impulses throughout the body. When the myelin sheath is damaged, nerve impulses slow or even stop, causing neurological problems. Common early symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis include double or blurred vision, tingling or weakness in the body, tremors, and unsteady gait. Timely treatment is essential to slow disease progression and keep symptoms in check.

Multiple Sclerosis progression

Multiple Sclerosis can be classified into three main types based on disease progression. A patient may test for one or more of these at different points in time, depending on the symptoms and the rate of degeneration in the central nervous system.

• Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Around 85% of Multiple Sclerosis patients experience this type of MS. It involves periodic relapses, caused due to an irritation or inflammation of the nerves in the CNS. During a relapse, the patient’s symptoms worsen, and this can last anywhere between several days to several weeks. After each relapse will come a period of improvement, lasting several weeks or even months, during which symptoms may even improve slightly.
• Primary-progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Around 15% of Multiple Sclerosis patients will experience primary-progressive MS. Essentially, instead of relapses and recovery periods, the patient’s symptoms will gradually worsen right from the onset of the disease.
• Secondary-progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Around 15% of patients who have relapsing-remitting MS will experience secondary-progressive MS. Essentially, over time the disease symptoms will start to steadily decline rather than relapse and recover. This usually happens within 10 years of the initial MS diagnosis.

Life expectancy with Multiple Sclerosis

One of the key questions that patients ask at the time of diagnosis is — what is the life expectancy for someone with Multiple Sclerosis? In general, the lifespan of an MS patient is about five to 10 years less than that of the healthy population. This is not due to the disease itself, but from complications that arise as the disease progresses. Most patients with advanced Multiple Sclerosis will experience issues related to mobility, swallowing, breathing, or a combination of all three. Some of the causes of death in the late stages of MS include:

• Chronic bed sores from prolonged immobility
• Chronic urinary tract infections such as urogenital sepsis
• Bacterial / Aspiration pneumonia
• Choking due to dysphagia (trouble swallowing)

Other causes of death for Multiple Sclerosis patients include:

• Heart disease, which can be linked to unhealthy weight gain from not moving enough
• Lung disease owing to weakened chest muscles
• Suicide owing to the frustration of illness or as a result of depression or anxiety

Factors that affect Multiple Sclerosis prognosis

While Multiple Sclerosis life expectancy for any one patient depends on their unique medical history and symptom patterns. Certain factors are more favorable than others for a longer life. Some of these factors include:

• Getting diagnosed at a younger age
• Only one CNS system being involved at disease onset
• Having a low rate of symptom relapses per year
• Having a long interval between the first and second CNS attack
• Complete recovery from the first attack
• Low disability in the first two to five years after diagnosis
• More sensory symptoms than motor-related symptoms
• Later cerebellar involvement
• Gender — Female patients are more likely to live a longer life

Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

While there is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis, treatments can slow disease progression, keep symptoms in check, and lengthen the recovery period between relapses. The sooner a patient starts treatment, the more effectively CNS damage can be contained, leading to fewer debilitating symptoms and a better quality of life in later stages. In addition, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy help to improve day-to-day functionality and optimize quality of life. Some of the lifestyle changes that MS patients can make to stay healthy include:

• Getting enough exercise, with at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week
• Performing exercises, specified by a physiotherapist, to strengthen limbs and improve muscle control
• Eating a diet rich in leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein
• Cutting out tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine
• Getting regular check-ups for blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and other vitals so that the doctor can detect any abnormalities in time
• Staying cool to avoid symptom flare-ups
• Doing cognitive exercises which help in brain function, memory, and combatting attention deficit
• Having a regular sleep schedule
• Managing stress through activities like journaling or meditation
• Seeking out a counselor in case of depressive or suicidal thoughts

A Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis doesn’t have to be viewed as a death sentence. As treatments continue to evolve, Multiple Sclerosis life expectancy is on the rise and so is the quality of life. A healthy, active lifestyle, and an appropriate treatment plan will ensure that patients retain as much functionality as possible as the disease progresses. In addition, the patient must keep a close eye on their symptoms and consult the doctor at once if there is any change. This will help to tailor the Multiple Sclerosis treatment plan for maximum benefit.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/multiple-sclerosis/

https://library.med.utah.edu/kw/ms/prognosis.html

https://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/features/ms-life-expectancy

FAQs

• Does Multiple Sclerosis shorten life expectancy?

The life expectancy of someone with Multiple Sclerosis is slightly reduced. The average lifespan of 25 to 35 years is often made, once diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

• Does MS get worse with age?

Over time, symptoms of MS stop coming and going, but begin getting steadily worse. This change can happen shortly after MS symptoms appear, or it may even take years or decades.

• Is Multiple Sclerosis always fatal?

No, Multiple Sclerosis itself is rarely fatal.

• At what age does MS get bad?

The disease manifests differently in every person. When it comes to age, most people are between 20 and 50 when they’re diagnosed.

• Will I end up in a wheelchair with MS?

No, Many people living with MS are able to walk unassisted, while a smaller number need the help of a mobility aid.

• How can I stop my MS from progressing?

While there is no cure, there are lifestyle changes that can slow progression of the disease. These include sticking to a treatment plan, eating a healthy diet, avoiding smoking, and getting restful sleep.

• What should I avoid with Multiple Sclerosis?

Some common triggers for patients with Multiple Sclerosis that can be avoided include stress, heat, childbirth, certain vaccines, a Vitamin D deficiency, lack of sleep, and a poor diet.

• How fast does MS progress without medication?

Treatment, including medication, can slow down the disease progression in MS. Researchers have found a 7.5-year difference between MS patients who took medication and those who didn’t.

• What is the most aggressive form of MS?

• Fulminate MS’ is the most rapidly progressive disease with severe relapses as early as within 5 years of diagnosis. It is also known as ‘malignant MS’ or ‘Marburg MS.’ This form of MS may need to be treated more aggressively than other forms.

• Can you have MS for years and not know it?

A benign form of MS that can’t be identified at the time of initial diagnosis, can take as long as 15 years to diagnose. The course of the disease is unpredictable.

A highly regarded neurologist and stem cell specialist, Dr Na’eem Sadiq studied neurology and clinical neurophysiology in London before working with some of England’s and the Middle East’s most prestigious medical institutions. He completed his MBBS