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Multiple Sclerosis Basics

Multiple sclerosis, also commonly known as MS, is a chronic, long-lasting, and generally progressive disease that affects the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis progresses by causing ongoing damage to nerve cell sheaths in the spinal cord, brain, and optic nerves.

In MS, immune cells attack myelin. Myelin is a fatty-like substance that protects and insulates nerve fibers and nerve sheaths. Damage to myelin results in the growth of scar tissue. Scar tissue and other damage to the nerve sheath and nerve fiber interrupt and sometimes distort nerve impulses that travel back and forth between the brain and spinal cord. This distortion and disruption can produce many different symptoms throughout the body, including the familiar effects of MS.

The resulting symptoms associated with MS include, but are not limited to:

• poor muscle coordination
• blurry vision
• difficulty with speech
• basic bodily functions compromised

There are 4 known types of MS, called “courses”.

There are 4 MS courses:

Returning Sender

The most common course of MS is relapsing-remitting MS, which occurs in approximately 90% of MS patients. Patients with this course of MS typically experience symptoms of the disease in their 20s; the attacks are periodic and then the disease goes into remission. Most patients with Relapsing Remitting MS will eventually progress to a secondary progressive phase of the disease.

progressive primary

For MS patients with primary progressive MS, their symptoms usually increase (get worse) after they are diagnosed with the disease. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 10 MS patients are diagnosed with the primary progressive course of MS.

progressive secondary

Most MS patients develop secondary progressive MS after having relapsing-remitting MS. In this course of MS, symptoms and attacks begin to occur steadily without remission. The time frame associated with secondary progressive MS is between 10 and 20 years after the patient is diagnosed with the relapsing-remitting course of the disease.

progressive relapse

Progressive relapse is the least common form of MS. In this course, the symptoms do not diminish and become progressive between each attack or relapse. Progressive relapse is sometimes considered a more acute course of primary progressive MS. Studies suggest that only 5% of MS patients have this disease course.

How is MS treated?

There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis. Treatments for MS generally focus on helping a patient recover quickly from attacks or relapses and slowing the progression of the disease while managing other symptoms as a result of the disease.

The cause of MS has not been discovered. Therefore, there is no known cure for the disease to date.

MS is not known to run in families; however, having an immediate relative with MS has been shown to be a significant risk factor for the development of the disease.

Medical scientists also widely believe that there are unknown environmental variables that trigger MS in people who have an inherent genetic predisposition to develop the disease.

As an example, the incidence of MS is significantly lower near the equator. The underlying theory is that vitamin D plays an important role in the development of MS. Populations residing near the Earth’s equator are exposed to significant amounts of natural vitamin D produced by the sun. Vitamin D is believed to support immune system functions and may strengthen the immune system against immune-mediated diseases such as MS.

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