What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-term condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the protective layer that surrounds nerve fibres and helps messages travel quickly and smoothly along them. When myelin is damaged, messages between the brain and the rest of the body can be slowed down or disrupted, which leads to the symptoms of MS. Many people with MS find that mobility aids help them stay independent, and some benefit from WAV Vehicles, available from https://clarkemobility.com/

Who Gets MS?

MS is one of the most common causes of disability in younger adults. It is most often diagnosed in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s, and it is two to three times more common in women than in men. More than 150,000 people in the UK are living with MS.

What Causes MS?

The exact cause of MS is not known. It is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Things that have been linked to a higher risk include low vitamin D levels, smoking and having had the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes glandular fever. MS is not contagious.

Symptoms

MS symptoms vary widely from person to person. Common symptoms include:

extreme tiredness (fatigue)
problems with vision, such as blurred vision or pain when moving the eyes
numbness or tingling in different parts of the body
muscle stiffness and spasms
problems with balance and co-ordination
bladder problems
problems with thinking, learning and memory

Types of MS

Most people with MS are first diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS, where symptoms flare up in relapses and then improve, partly or fully. Over time, some people go on to develop secondary progressive MS, where symptoms gradually get worse. A smaller number of people have primary progressive MS, where symptoms worsen steadily from the start.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for MS, but there are treatments that can help. Disease-modifying medicines can reduce the number and severity of relapses for many people, and other treatments can help manage specific symptoms. If you are worried about symptoms, speak to your GP.