Multiple sclerosis 101
Multiple sclerosis damages the nervous system, causing symptoms that can range from mild to severe.
1. What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?
3. How serious is the disease?
4. Is there more than one type of MS?
9. Where can I go for more information?
Answers
1. What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
In people with MS, the immune system attacks and destroys myelin—the fatty sheath that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers. Myelin helps with the smooth, high-speed transmission of messages between the brain, the spinal cord and the rest of the body.
When myelin is destroyed, signals from nerve to nerve may be slowed or blocked. This is what causes the symptoms of MS.
No two people have the same symptoms, but some are common.
Often, the first symptoms of MS are vision problems, such as blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion or even blindness in one eye.
Numbness or tingling in the face, body, or arms and legs is another common first symptom.
Most people with MS have bladder dysfunction and fatigue. And many people with MS have muscle weakness in their extremities and trouble with coordination and balance.
About half of people with MS have cognitive problems, such as difficulties with concentration, attention, memory and judgment.
Additional MS symptoms can include:
- Chronic pain.
- Muscle stiffness and spasms.
- Bowel problems.
- Depression.
- Difficulty walking.
3. How serious is the disease?
The vast majority of people with MS are only mildly affected, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, but in the worst cases, the disease can make it impossible to write, speak or walk.
MS is rarely fatal, but, on average, people with the disease have a life expectancy seven years less than the general population. This is due to complications and other medical conditions—but luckily, many of these can be prevented or managed.
4. Is there more than one type of MS?
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), there are four disease courses. Each of these courses can be mild, moderate or severe.
Relapsing-remitting. This is the most common type, according to the NMSS. People with relapsing-remitting MS experience clearly defined attacks of symptoms, followed by periods of partial or complete remission when the disease does not get worse.
Primary-progressive. With this type of MS, symptoms continue to worsen slowly without periods of remission. The rate of progression may vary over time.
Secondary-progressive. Most people who initially have relapsing-remitting MS develop this course of the disease, which worsens more steadily over time—though occasional flare-ups, disease plateaus or periods of remission may occur.
Clinically isolated syndrome. This is a first episode of neurological symptoms that lasts at least 24 hours. Not everyone who experiences the syndrome will go on to develop MS.
No one knows for certain what causes MS. Researchers think several factors probably work together to cause the disease. Possibilities include immune system damage, environmental factors, microbes and genetic factors.
Anyone can get the disease, but:
- Most people are diagnosed between ages 20 and 50.
- More than two to three times as many women as men develop MS.
- MS is most common in Caucasian people of northern European origin.
Because MS symptoms can resemble a number of other conditions, those must be ruled out first.
No one test can find MS. Your doctor may use a variety of methods, such as imaging scans of the brain or samples of spinal fluid, to check for signs of the disease.
Yes. Medicines can help slow the progress of relapsing types of MS and relieve specific symptoms caused by the disease. A healthful diet and regular exercise can also help people with MS stay strong and healthy.
9. Where can I go for more information?
To learn more about MS, visit the Multiple Sclerosis health topic center.
You can also find out more by visiting these websites:
- The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Reviewed 8/28/2023