What Is Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a disorder that affects the central nervous system,
which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. These organs control
the movements and functions of the entire body. When the brain sends and
receives signals, the spinal cord funnels them in and out, to and from different
parts of the body through network of nerves. Surrounding and protecting the
nerve fibers of the Central Nervous System is a soft, white, fatty tissue called
myelin, which helps nerve fibers conduct signals to the body.

In multiple sclerosis, myelin is lost in multiple areas, leaving scar tissue
called sclerosis. The damaged myelin and its process (known as Demyelization)
will not allow the flow of signals to and from the Central Nervous System to the
rest of the body, impairing functions such as vision, strength, or coordination.


Multiple Sclerosis affects individuals in different ways. Some people may have
mild symptoms that may not have much impact on their everyday lives, while
others may experience more severe symptoms that can disable a person within
days, months or years. Other people usually experience MS between these courses.
These courses, (known as relapses, flares, or exacerbations) of MS include a
series of attacks that cause symptoms. These symptoms can come and go,
partially, or completely, and may last days or weeks. They can be described in
four courses:

Relapsing Remitting Sclerosis (RRMS)

This is the most common form of the disease. The patient undergoes attacks or a
series of attacks followed by a period of remission; the patient can either
recover fully during a remission, or recover partly, sometimes leaving the
patient with permanent symptoms.

Secondary-Progressive MS

This is the second stage to Relapsing Remitting Sclerosis. Unlike RRMS, there
are no real periods of remission; the disease worsens steadily, with maybe small
breaks in attack with no real recovery symptoms. Before modern medications, 50%
of patients with RRMS formed Secondary-Progressive Ms within 10 years.

Primary Progressive MS

This stage is characterized by gradual neurological decline with no distinct
periods of remission. Over time this phrase may plateau or may have minor
improvements, but the course of the disease is a continual decline from the
onset.

Progressive-Relapsing

This is a rarer form of the disease. People with Progressive Relapsing
experience a gradual decline in the disease with acute attacks throughout.
Unlike the Primary progressive, Progressive Relapsing MS does not plateau and
the disease continues to progress without remissions.

Some symptoms include, but are not limited to: