Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system (CNS). It affects an estimated one million people in the United States and has been diagnosed in more than 2.3 million people worldwide. The condition affects primarily people aged between 20 and 50 years old, with the average onset of the disease being 34. However, children can also develop MS – between 2%-5% of MS patients develop symptoms before they turn 18. Women are twice as likely to suffer from MS as men.
MS is an immune-mediated condition, meaning that your immune system attacks its own body parts. Normally, the immune system protects us from disease, fighting pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the insulating layer around nerves, which results in damaging lesions. These lesions disrupt the transmission of electrical signals along nerve fibers, interfering with communication between the brain and the rest of the body. This can then cause the symptoms mentioned below.
As MS attacks the nerves, this can cause a number of symptoms. Symptoms vary from person to person and can range dramatically in their severity. The most common symptoms include:
Diagnosing MS is difficult. Its symptoms are often mistaken for other diseases. Diagnosis is performed by neurologists typically using methods such as physical examinations, clinical laboratory testing, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Treatment options include disease-modifying therapies, oral medications, and IV treatments to address the underlying condition, as well as medications and treatments that relieve the symptoms of MS. MS can be comorbid with (occurring alongside) other conditions that can exacerbate the expression of MS symptoms – identifying and treating these conditions is part of an integrative approach to managing MS. These therapies may help to delay the progression of disability and reduce relapses, improving quality of life.
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In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin around nerves, creating lesions. These lesions disrupt the electrical signals traveling along nerves, which causes symptoms.
Optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve, can be one of the first signs of MS.
Very common. Fatigue occurs in about 80% of people with MS.
MS can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are often mistaken for other diseases. Neurologists typically use physical exams, lab tests, and MRI scans.