Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, which is
made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or
severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable
and vary from one person to another. Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by the disease.
While the cause of MS is still not known, scientists believe that a combination of several factors may be involved. Studies are ongoing in the areas of immunology (the science of the body’s immune system), epidemiology (that looks at patterns of disease in the population), and genetics in an effort to answer this important question. Understanding what causes MS will be an important step toward finding more effective ways to treat it and—ultimately—cure it, or even prevent it from occurring in the first place.
In the United States today, there are approximately 400,000 people with multiple sclerosis (MS)—with 200 more people diagnosed every week. Worldwide, MS is thought to affect more than 2.5 million people. While the disease is not contagious or directly inherited, epidemiologists—the scientists who study patterns of disease—have identified factors in the distribution of MS around the world that may eventually help determine what causes the disease. These factors include gender, genetics, age, geography, and ethnic background.
In multiple sclerosis, damage to the myelin in the central nervous system, and to the nerve fibers themselves, interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body. This disruption of nerve signals produces the primary symptoms of MS, which vary depending on where the damage has occurred.
Over the course of the disease, some symptoms will come and go, while others may be more lasting.
Although there is still no cure for MS, effective strategies are available to modify the disease course, treat flare-ups, manage symptoms, improve function and safety, and provide emotional support. In combination, these treatments enhance the quality of life for people living with MS.
Source: www.nationalmssociety.org