Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder that affects young adults. There are several types of MS. In general, the disease is not life threatening, however, it can be very disabling as it progresses. MS is more common in women than in men. It involves inflammation within the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and deterioration of the myelin sheaths surrounding the nerve fibers. As a result of this process, lesions develop on the brain and spinal cord causing neurological symptoms such as loss of vision or double vision, numbness, weakness, fatigue, paralysis, unsteady gait, and balance disturbances.
Most people with MS begin with a sudden onset of neurological symptoms that may improve with treatment of these symptoms. Often times, these symptoms come back or "relapse" at a later time.
While there is no cure or prevention for MS, there are new medications that are awaiting Food and Drug Administration approval that may control the disease process. Current treatments being utilized include those that alleviate some of the symptoms caused by MS, (such as fatigue and muscle stiffness) and those which can modify attacks and activity of the disease.