Does Acid Stay in Your Spine if You Have Multiple Sclerosis? An Overview

Does Acid Stay in Your Spine if You Have Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. It's caused by damage to the myelin sheaths that protect nerve fibers. This damage slows down or blocks messages between the brain and body, leading to MS symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and may come and go unpredictably. While the disease primarily targets the brain and spinal cord, it can impact nerves throughout the body as it progresses.

When it comes to MS and the spine specifically, lesions from the disease can form along the spinal cord and lead to problems. However, there is no evidence that "acid" builds up or stays in the spine in people with MS. Let's take a closer look at how MS impacts the spine and spinal cord.

How MS Affects the Spinal Cord

The spinal cord acts as the main highway for nerve signals traveling between the brain and the rest of the body. It runs through the bony vertebral column starting at the base of the brainstem and continues down the back, ending around the L1/L2 vertebrae.

Along the length of the cord are short, branch-like nerve roots that emerge through spaces between the vertebrae. The nerve roots on each side of the spine form the right and left peripheral nervous systems. These connect the brain and spinal cord to the network of nerves throughout the body.

MS causes inflammation that damages myelin and scars nerve fibers in multiple areas of the central nervous system. These damaged patches are known as lesions or plaques. When lesions form in the spinal cord, they can disrupt signals traveling up and down this vital communication network.

Common MS Spinal Cord Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms that occur when MS lesions develop in the spinal cord include:

• Weakness in the legs, feet, trunk, or arms
• Stiffness or tightness in the limbs or trunk
• Numbness, prickling, or tingling sensations
• Burning or band-like pain
• Problems with balance and coordination
• Muscle spasms
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

These symptoms tend to correspond to the location of the spinal lesions. For example, lesions in the upper back can affect the legs and lower body. Lesions in the neck may impact the arms, hands, trunk, and legs.

Why Spinal Cord Damage Occurs

Researchers don't know exactly what triggers the immune system attacks in MS, but they have some theories. It may be a combination of genetics, environmental factors like low Vitamin D, and viruses that prompts the immune system to turn against the myelin in the central nervous system.

In the spine specifically, some experts think the nerve roots that branch off the spinal cord make that area more vulnerable to MS lesions. Since these roots have less connective tissue support, they may be more prone to inflammation and scarring.

Areas where the spinal cord and column change direction seem to be hotspots as well. These include:

• The back of the neck where it meets the base of the skull
• In front of the vertebrae between the neck and upper back
• Where the thoracic spine curves inward in the upper back
• Around the cone-shaped bottom of the spinal cord

Research indicates that 55-80% of people with MS will develop spinal cord lesions at some point. In many cases, these lesions cause symptoms that affect mobility and independence.

What About Acid in the MS Spine?

There are no scientific studies showing that "acid" builds up, leaks, or remains in the spine after MS lesions develop along the spinal cord. Some key points about MS and spinal acidity include:

• Normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has a slightly basic pH between 7.31-7.34. Major shifts up or down can indicate health problems.
• CSF buffers and circulates acidity in the central nervous system. MS does not cause chronic CSF acidosis.
• Diets touted to "alkalize the body" cannot change CSF pH and will not heal MS spinal lesions.
• Lesions form from inflammation and myelin damage, not acid trapped in the spinal cord.

Research has been done on CSF acidity and various neurological diseases. In one study, CSF in secondary progressive MS was essentially neutral compared to other types of MS. Altered pH levels were linked more to changes in breathing than the disease process itself.

Some alternative medicine practitioners claim MS is caused by too much acid in the body or spine. They may recommend diets or supplements to "balance pH levels." But there's no proof such approaches remove acidity from the spinal cord or alter the course of MS.

Checking and Managing Spinal MS Symptoms

While spinal lesions do not involve trapped acid, they can still cause troubling symptoms. Ongoing communication with your neurologist is key for noticing changes and adjusting treatment plans. Be sure to ask your doctor:

• How often should I get spine scans to check for new lesions?
• What symptoms should I report right away?
• Could physical therapy help improve spinal coordination and balance?

Some options for managing spinal MS symptoms include:

• Medications - Steroids help reduce acute inflammation from new spinal lesions. Other drugs may ease chronic numbness, pain, stiffness, and spasms.
• Rehab - Physical, occupational, and aquatic therapy can improve strength, mobility, and function.
• Assistive Devices - Canes, rollators, shower chairs, and raised toilet seats enable independence.
• Healthy Lifestyle - Stress management, exercise, and a nutritious diet support overall wellness.

Though MS impacts the central nervous system in unpredictable ways, there are many different paths to resilience. Working closely with your healthcare providers and MS support teams can help you navigate your best options.

The Bottom Line

MS is a complex neurodegenerative disease that disrupts nerve signaling throughout the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Lesions that develop along the spinal cord are common and can lead to mobility issues and other symptoms.

However, there is no scientific evidence that these spinal lesions trap or cause an accumulation of acid in the spine. Aggressive diets or "alkalizing" therapies do not treat the underlying autoimmune problems. Instead, medications, rehab, lifestyle changes, and comprehensive support offer the best help for managing MS spinal cord symptoms.

By staying attuned to your body, working closely with your healthcare providers, and tapping into available resources, you can keep moving your life forward even when MS strikes the spine.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.