Multiple sclerosis: general information

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic (long-term) diseases of the central nervous system.

Nerve fibres are covered with a fatty substance called the myelin sheath. The myelin, as well as protecting the nerves, assists the passage of messages along the nerves between the brain and every part of the body. With MS, the myelin sheath becomes scarred (sclerosis). This can cause the messages from the brain to become blocked or slowed, impairing movement and sensation.

Signs and Symptoms

The condition is generally characterised by attacks (episodes) of symptoms that may last weeks or months and then periods where symptoms diminish or disappear (remissions). Episodes are unpredictable, however symptoms may increase in severity with each episode.

There is great individual variation as to the type, pattern and severity of symptoms experienced with MS. Some people may only ever have one or two episodes of mild symptoms while others have ongoing severe symptoms that are debilitating. There is no "typical" MS.

Vague, non-specific feelings of weakness, fatigue and clumsiness are often the first symptoms of MS experienced. Another early indication of MS are symptoms that appear briefly and then become less noticeable or completely disappear. This pattern conforms to the episode and remission cycle of MS.

MS has a wide variety of symptoms due to the different ways it can affect the central nervous system. Each episode is thought to be due to inflammation in an area of the nervous system.

The most common general symptoms include:

• Movement, balance and co-ordination problems.
• Sensory problems such as brief pain, tingling or electric shock sensations.
• Vision problems such as blurred or double vision.
• Problems with bladder or bowel control.
• Lack of energy.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Speech difficulties such as slurred speech.
• Lack of concentration and impaired short-term memory.
• Mood changes.
• Extreme weakness.
• Shaking of the hands.
• Paralysis.

Symptoms may become more prominent when the body temperature is increased eg: by a hot bath, being in the sun or by a stressful situation.

It is important to remember that any of these symptoms can be caused by other disorders.

Causes

The cause of this disease is unknown. The main theories as to why read more

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