What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath—the fatty, protective insulation surrounding nerve fibers—causing inflammation, damage, and scarring (plaques or lesions).
Demographics & Nature
- Autoimmune: T-cells cross the blood-brain barrier to attack the CNS.
- Age: Commonly diagnosed between ages 20 and 40.
- Gender: 2-3 times more common in women.
Types of MS
- RRMS (85%): Relapses followed by remission.
- SPMS: Follows RRMS with progressive worsening.
- PPMS: Steady decline from the start without relapses.
Symptoms & Consequences
Symptoms are highly individual and depend on the area of the nervous system affected:
- Vision: Optic neuritis, double vision, or painful vision loss.
- Mobility: Muscle spasms, weakness, numbness, and lack of coordination (ataxia).
- Fatigue: An overwhelming exhaustion not eased by rest.
- Cognition: Difficulty with memory, concentration, and processing information.
Diagnosis & Disruption
Diagnosis involves a combination of MRI scans, lumbar punctures (spinal fluid analysis), and evoked potential tests.
MS disrupts fundamental body functions including sensory perception (pins and needles), motor control (walking/balance), and autonomic systems (bladder/bowel control).