Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease where more than one instance of inflammation and scarring of the Myelin in the brain and spinal cord occurs. Myelin is the protective tissue that covers nerve fibers. When demyelination occurs (often in a sporadic pattern), nerve "communication" is disrupted.
Much like a computer virus, problems are caused without any specific pattern, and it takes time to analyze and diagnose a “new normal”. Therefore, a person with MS can experience varying degrees of neurological and physical impairment depending on the location and extent of the scarring. Today, the hope for treating current and future diagnoses of MS rests in the search for possible regeneration of Myelin in patients.
Considered a life-long diagnosis, MS tends to first appear in patients between the ages of 30-50, with a higher percentage being in women. In recent years, there has been an increase in early-onset pediatric cases. MS can be characterized by a pattern of “flare-ups,” which are different for each patient. While some people experience only mild symptoms, others experience stronger, more permanent ones. Some of the common symptoms may include fatigue, muscle weakness and spasticity, slurred speech, numbness, loss of coordination, visual difficulties, and more.
For more information on Multiple Sclerosis research, symptoms, and treatment options, please visit www.nationalmssociety.org.
