Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis

Medical Author: Fernando Dangond, MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

• What is multiple sclerosis?
• What causes multiple sclerosis?
• Is multiple sclerosis inherited?
• What are the types of multiple sclerosis?
• What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
• How is multiple sclerosis diagnosed?
• How is multiple sclerosis treated?
  • Interferon
  • Other medications
  • Patient Discussions: Multiple Sclerosis - Symptoms at Onset of Disease
• How are the manifestations of multiple sclerosis treated?
• What are the future directions for managing multiple sclerosis?
• Multiple Sclerosis At A Glance

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which the nerves of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) degenerate. Myelin, which provides a covering or insulation for nerves, improves the conduction of impulses along the nerves and also is important for maintaining the health of the nerves. In multiple sclerosis, inflammation causes the myelin to eventually disappear. Consequently, the electrical impulses that travel along the nerves decelerate, that is, become slower. In addition, the nerves themselves are damaged. As more and more nerves are affected, a patient experiences a progressive interference with functions that are controlled by the nervous system such as vision, speech, walking, writing, and memory.

About 350,000 people in the U.S. have multiple sclerosis. Usually, a patient is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis between 20 and 50 years of age, but multiple sclerosis has been diagnosed in children and in the elderly. Multiple sclerosis is twice as likely to occur in Caucasians as in any other group. Women are twice as likely as men to be affected by multiple sclerosis earlier in life.

Multiple Sclerosis - Symptoms at Onset of Disease

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?

Comment submissions for this question have ended.
See 23 Viewer Comments

View Comments

Links will open in a new window on MedicineNet.com