What is MS (multiple sclerosis)?
General information only. This article explains the basics and is not medical advice. For anything about your own health, talk to a doctor or other qualified professional.
Quick answer
MS, or multiple sclerosis, is a long-term condition of the brain and spinal cord. The immune system attacks myelin, the protective coating around nerve fibers, which disrupts messages between the brain and body. It can cause problems with vision, movement, balance, sensation and fatigue.
Think of myelin as the insulation on an electrical wire. When it’s damaged, signals along the nerve slow down, get scrambled or stop. “Sclerosis” means scarring, and the name refers to the many patches of scar tissue (lesions) that form.
Common symptoms
MS is different for everyone. Common symptoms include:
- Fatigue, one of the most common
- Vision problems, such as blurred vision or pain moving the eye
- Numbness or tingling in parts of the body
- Muscle weakness, stiffness or spasms
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Bladder problems and difficulty thinking clearly
Types of MS
| Type | Pattern |
|---|---|
| Relapsing-remitting | Attacks of symptoms (relapses) followed by recovery; the most common form at diagnosis |
| Secondary progressive | Follows relapsing-remitting; symptoms gradually worsen |
| Primary progressive | Symptoms worsen steadily from the start, without clear relapses |
Who gets MS?
MS is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, and it’s about two to three times more common in women than in men. It’s more common in places farther from the equator. The exact cause isn’t known; genes, low vitamin D, smoking and past infection with the Epstein-Barr virus have all been linked to a higher risk.
Diagnosis and treatment
Doctors, usually neurologists, diagnose MS using a neurological exam, MRI scans and sometimes other tests. There’s no cure yet, but treatments can reduce relapses and slow progression, and therapies help manage symptoms. Many people with MS continue to work and live active lives. Anyone with persistent symptoms like those above should talk to a doctor.
MS affects the nervous system, which links to every part of the body. For a lighter look at how the body works, see how many chambers the human heart has.
Sources
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