Do you feel like you're losing control of your body? Learn about this rare disease called Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).

Do you sometimes feel like you're slowly losing control of your body? You're not balanced when you walk, everything is very slow, your voice seems to tremble... Although these are normal things that happen as you get older, sometimes they can be a sign of a condition that we don't talk about much, but it's important to be aware of. Today we're talking about such a rare but serious nervous system disease: Multiple System Atrophy, or MSA.

Simply put, what is Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)?

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a disease that affects our nervous system. It affects the automatic processes of our body, for example, controlling movements and maintaining balance . It is a relatively rare disease.

What are the symptoms of MSA?

Symptoms of this disease usually begin to appear between the ages of 50 and 60. Some people confuse the two diseases because the early symptoms are somewhat similar to those of Parkinson 's disease.

In addition to this, other effects may occur.

In addition to these main symptoms, other basic processes in the body may also be affected.

• Decreased sweating , tears , and salivation.
• Constipation or inability to control bowel movements .
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED).
• Stopping breathing during sleep (sleep apnea) or acting out in sleep, such as screaming or flailing your arms and legs.
• Wheezing.
• Cold or discolored hands and feet.
• Difficulty controlling emotions, anxiety, or depression.

There are two main types of MSA disease.

Based on your main symptoms, your doctor will determine which type of MSA you have.

How to diagnose this disease?

MSA can be a little difficult to diagnose at first. The reason for this is that, as we mentioned earlier, its symptoms are very similar to Parkinson's disease. Therefore, you will need to see a neurologist .

Your doctor will examine you, talk about your symptoms, and look for changes in your brain and nervous system. To confirm whether you have MSA or Parkinson's, they may do the following tests:

• Autonomic testing: A special test that checks the functioning of the nervous system.
• MRI scan: To see if there are any changes in the brain.
• Blood pressure measurement: Blood pressure is measured while sitting and standing.
• ECG test: To check the electrical signals of the heart.
• Sweat tests: Testing how the body sweats.

What causes MSA?

Simply put, a person with MSA develops a buildup of a special protein in the cells that support nerve cells in the brain. This causes parts of the brain and spinal cord to gradually atrophy or die. Experts say the exact cause of this condition is still unknown.

Complications that may occur due to the disease

For many, symptoms can develop into serious problems within a few years, so it's important to be aware of these things as well.

• Difficulty performing daily tasks.
• Breathing difficulties, especially conditions like `Sleep apnea`.
• Frequent falls.
• Difficulty moving gradually increases, requiring the use of a wheelchair and eventually becoming unable to get out of bed.
• Paralysis of the vocal cords.
• Inability to swallow food.
• Lung infections such as pneumonia.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Blood clots.

The length of time a person can live with the disease varies from person to person. Some people can live for 15 years or more. Death is often due to complications from breathing difficulties.

How to treat and manage

Since there is no specific cure for MSA, the main goal of treatment is to control symptoms and make life as comfortable as possible.

Medicines and medical treatment

• Medications such as levodopa, which is used to treat Parkinson's disease, can sometimes help control tremors, stiffness, and slow movements.
• The doctor may prescribe medications such as `droxidopa`, `fludrocortisone`, or `midodrine` to control blood pressure.
• Sometimes a pacemaker may be needed to regulate the heart rate.
• Medications such as mirabegron or oxybutynin can help with urinary control. Sometimes a catheter may be needed to help you pass urine.
• Medications are also available for sexual dysfunction.

Therapies

• Physical therapy and exercise can keep muscles strong and flexible.
• Occupational therapy can help you learn how to perform daily tasks more easily.
• Speech therapy helps with walking and speaking difficulties.

Things you can do yourself at home

• To increase blood pressure, add a little more salt to your food and drink plenty of water.
• Wearing special compression stockings to help with blood circulation.
• Avoid getting up suddenly from sitting or lying down. Get up slowly.
• Keeping the head of the bed slightly elevated when sleeping.
• Eat fiber-rich foods, vegetables, and fruits for constipation.
• Avoid overheating the body.
• Move as much as possible to prevent blood clots.