MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease that affects
the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of
the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves.
Surrounding and protecting the nerve fibers of the CNS
is a fatty tissue called
myelin,
which helps nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses.
In MS, myelin is lost in multiple areas, leaving scar
tissue called sclerosis. These damaged areas are also
known as plaques or lesions. Sometimes the nerve fiber
itself is damaged or broken.
Myelin not only protects nerve fibers, but makes their
job possible. When myelin or the nerve fiber is
destroyed or damaged, the ability of the nerves to
conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain is
disrupted, and this produces the various
symptoms of MS.
People with MS can expect one of four clinical courses
of disease, each of which might be mild, moderate, or
severe.
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Relapsing-Remitting
Characteristics: People with this
type of MS experience clearly defined flare-ups
(also called relapses, attacks, or exacerbations).
These are episodes of acute worsening of neurologic
function. They are followed by partial or complete
recovery periods (remissions) free of disease
progression.
Frequency: Most common form of MS
at time of initial diagnosis. Approximately 85%.
-
Primary-Progressive
Characteristics: People with this
type of MS experience a slow but nearly continuous
worsening of their disease from the onset, with no
distinct relapses or remissions. However, there are
variations in rates of progression over time,
occasional plateaus, and temporary minor
improvements.
Frequency: Relatively rare.
Approximately 10%.
-
Secondary-Progressive
Characteristics:
People with this type of MS experience an initial
period of relapsing-remitting MS, followed by a
steadily worsening disease course with or without
occasional flare-ups, minor recoveries (remissions),
or plateaus.
Frequency: 50% of people with
relapsing-remitting MS developed this form of the
disease within 10 years of their initial diagnosis,
before introduction of the "disease-modifying"
drugs. Long-term data are not yet available to
demonstrate if this is significantly delayed by
treatment.
-
Progressive-Relapsing
Characteristics:
People with this type of MS experience a steadily
worsening disease from the onset but also have clear
acute relapses (attacks or exacerbations), with or
without recovery. In contrast to relapsing-remitting
MS, the periods between relapses are characterized
by continuing disease progression.
Frequency: Relatively rare.
Approximately 5%.
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Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord). It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. This means the immune system incorrectly attacks the person's healthy tissue.
MS can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and blindness and more. These problems may be permanent or may come and go.
Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, although individuals as young as 2 and as old as 75 have developed it. MS is not considered a fatal disease as the vast majority of people with it live a normal life-span. But they may struggle to live as productively as they desire, often facing increasing limitations. |
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