What is Balo's Disease?

Balo's disease is a subtype of Multiple Sclerosis. Like MS, Balo's disease consists of myelin damage in the nervous system. As you might remember from my MS post, myelin is made up of fatty substances that envelope and protect nerve fibers in the spinal cord and brain. Myelin is essential for correct neurological functioning.
What makes Balo's disease somewhat different from MS is that damage to the myelin is circular-shaped.
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Who is at risk for Balo's Disease?
As with MS, Balo's disease is considered an autoimmune disorder. With Balo's disease, not only does the immune system attack healthy tissue, it also attacks healthy cells as well.
While a lot is still unknown about Balo's disease, researchers do know that the following increase your risk for Balo's disease:

• Being of Filipino or Asian descent.
• Having a first generation relative with Balo's disease.
• Having a family history of autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms of Balo's Disease

• Muscle Spasms
• Headaches
• Issues with speaking
• Muscle aches
• Paralysis
• Depression
• Memory issues

In very rare cases, Balo's disease may not show any symptoms.

Diagnosis of Balo's Disease
If you show signs of Balo's disease, your doctor will order an MRI of the brain and spinal cord. He or she will be looking for circular rings on damaged myelin. Damage is often in a pattern, alternating between undamaged myelin and damaged myelin.

Your doctor may order more tests to further evaluate you.
These tests include:

• Mobility tests
• Neurological tests
• EP tests
• Spinal taps

Treatment for Balo's Disease
Once diagnosed, your doctor will begin treating you. There are two ways to treat Balo's Disease:

1. Medication and injections.
   Corticosteroid injections can help decrease the inflammation in the central nervous system. Prescription medication may help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
2. Therapy rehabilitation.
   Your doctor may send you for physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help you with activities of daily living.

Closing Remarks
There is no cure for Balo's Disease, and it can be an unpredictable disease to treat and to provide a prognosis. While medication and therapy can help with the symptoms, it cannot stop the progression of the disease.

The good news is people can survive this disease, and enter remission. It is important for those with Balo's Disease to work alongside their doctors and to adhere to the treatment plan that both of you have agreed upon.

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