FAQ - What is multiple sclerosis? FAQ: What is multiple sclerosis?

Title

What is multiple sclerosis? 

Body

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord). It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. This means the immune system incorrectly attacks the person's healthy tissue.

MS can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and blindness and more. These problems may be permanent or may come and go.

Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, although individuals as young as 2 and as old as 75 have developed it. MS is not considered a fatal disease as the vast majority of people with it live a normal life-span. But they may struggle to live as productively as they desire, often facing increasing limitations.

Expires

 

Category

About MS 
Attachments
Created at 10/8/2007 10:02 PM  by SPHINX\Administrator 
Last modified at 10/8/2007 11:29 PM  by SPHINX\Administrator 
Home | Disclaimer | Privacy Notice
 Copyright National Pediatric MS Center @ Stony Brook University