Ellen Scharaga, who hails from Melville, NY, holds the role of operational consultant at Alegria Specialty Pharmacy. Alegria provides patients with quality service and also engages in advocacy and education. Ellen Scharaga plays a role in developing new medications for the management of conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
Typically, multiple sclerosis (MS) first presents when patients are between 15 and 60 years old. The immune system begins to attack the protective myelin sheath that covers the nerves, leading to damage that ultimately interrupts the brain's communication with other parts of the body. Nerve deterioration eventually sets in. Patients often endure symptoms for a period of time then go into remission for another period. Environmental factors may play a role in triggering relapses, which may appear severe or mild.
Signs of MS include tingling, pain, weakness in the limbs on one side of the body, the blurring or loss of vision, an unsteady gait, slurred speech, and dizziness. There is currently no direct test for MS. Doctors typically perform blood tests, spinal taps, MRIs, and additional tests to rule out other conditions before ultimately diagnosing patients with MS.
