Also called: Also called: MS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a nervous system disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. It damages the myelin sheath, the material that surrounds and protects your nerve cells. This damage slows down or blocks messages between your brain and your body, leading to the symptoms of MS. They can include
- Visual disturbances
- Muscle weakness
- Trouble with coordination and balance
- Sensations such as numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles"
- Thinking and memory problems
No one knows what causes MS. It may be an autoimmune disease, which happens when your body attacks itself. Multiple sclerosis affects woman more than men. It often begins between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually, the disease is mild, but some people lose the ability to write, speak or walk. There is no cure for MS, but medicines may slow it down and help control symptoms. Physical and occupational therapy may also help.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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JAMA Patient Page: Multiple Sclerosis(American Medical Association) - http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/296/23/2880.pdf
Also available in Spanish http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/data/296/23/2880/DC1/1
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Multiple Sclerosis(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/multiplesclerosis/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/multiplesclerosisspanish/htm/index.htm
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Multiple Sclerosis: Hope through Research(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/detail_multiple_sclerosis.htm
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/trastornos/esclerosis_multiple.htm
- Multiple Sclerosis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/multiple-sclerosis/DS00188/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Multiple Sclerosis(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/multiple_sclerosis.htm
- Plaintalk: A Booklet about MS for Families(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=315
- Neurons Can Re-Grow in Some Multiple Sclerosis Lesions(08/01/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_67680.html
- Multiple Sclerosis Patients at Higher Risk for Restless Legs Syndrome(06/27/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_66345.html
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Diagnosis: The Basic Facts(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=46
Also available in Spanish http://www.nationalmssociety.org/informacion-en-espanol/download.aspx?id=26
- Symptoms(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/symptoms/index.aspx
- Chemotherapy(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/treatments/medications/chemotherapy/index.aspx
- Deep Brain Stimulation(American Association of Neurological Surgeons) - http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/patient_e/deep%20brain%20stimulation.asp
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Disease-Modifying Drugs(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Links to PDF - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=45
Also available in Spanish http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=321
- Medications Used in MS(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/treatments/medications/index.aspx
- Plasmapheresis (Plasma Exchange)(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/treatments/medications/plasmapheresis-plasma-exchange/index.aspx
- Clear Thinking about Alternative Therapies(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=72
- Gingko(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/ginkgo/
- Thunder God Vine(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/tgvine/
- Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs in MS: An Introduction(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=154
- You Can...Maintain Good Nutrition(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/you-can/maintain-good-nutrition/index.aspx
- Exercise(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/healthy-living/exercise/index.aspx
- Managing MS through Rehabilitation(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=150
- MedlinePlus: Mobility Aids - Canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mobilityaids.html
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"But You Look So Good!": Managing Specific Issues(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Links to PDF - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=50
Also available in Spanish http://www.nationalmssociety.org/informacion-en-espanol/download.aspx?id=30
- Multiple Sclerosis and Your Emotions(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=151
- Living with Advanced MS(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/living-with-advanced-ms/index.aspx
- Managing Progressive MS(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=314
- Solving Cognitive Problems(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=61
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Stretching for People with MS: An Illustrated Manual(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=331
Also available in Spanish http://main.nationalmssociety.org/docs/HOM/brochures/StretchingHelp-Spanish.pdf
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Stretching with a Helper for People with MS: An Illustrated Manual(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=332
Also available in Spanish http://www.nationalmssociety.org/informacion-en-espanol/download.aspx?id=330
- Progressive Disease(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/living-with-advanced-ms/progressive-disease/index.aspx
- Schilder's Disease(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/schilders/schilders.htm
- At Home with MS: Adapting Your Environment(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=312
- Choosing the Right Health-Care Provider(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Links to PDF - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=25
- Dental Health: The Basic Facts(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=73
- Dressing with Ease, Style and Comfort(ALS Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.alsa.org/files/cms/Resources/FYI_07_Dressing.pdf
- Fatigue and Tiredness with Multiple Sclerosis(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/hic_fatigue_and_tiredness_with_multiple_sclerosis.aspx
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Guide for Caregivers(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=155
Also available in Spanish http://www.nationalmssociety.org/informacion-en-espanol/download.aspx?id=335
- Hiring Help at Home: The Basic Facts(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Links to PDF - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=313
- Managing Specific Issues(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Links to PDF - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/multimedia-library/brochures/managing-specific-issues/index.aspx
- Multiple Sclerosis: Can It Cause Seizures?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/multiple-sclerosis/AN01811/METHOD=print
- Neuromyelitis Optica(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/neuromyelitis_optica/neuromyelitis_optica.htm
- Staying in the Game: MS and Employment(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/employment/index.aspx
- Tremor and MS(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/symptoms/tremor/index.aspx
- Working with Multiple Sclerosis: Your Guide to Navigating the Workplace in a Healthy Way(Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis) - Large PDF file - http://www.acceleratedcure.org/downloads/acp-workingwithms.pdf
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Multiple Sclerosis(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/multiplesclerosis/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/multiplesclerosisspanish/htm/index.htm
- Demyelination(Multiple Sclerosis International Federation) - http://www.msif.org/en/about_ms/demyelination.html
- Financial Planning(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/insurance-and-money-matters/financial-planning/index.aspx
- Frequently Asked Questions about Health Insurance(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/insurance-and-money-matters/health-insurance/faqs-health-insurance/index.aspx
- Medicare(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/insurance-and-money-matters/medicare/index.aspx
- Social Security Disability(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/government-affairs-and-advocacy/government-programs/social-security-disability/index.aspx
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Multiple Sclerosis(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Multiple+Sclerosis%22
- Genetics: The Basic Facts(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=28
- Multiple Sclerosis: What Have We Learned?(American Academy of Neurology) - http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/full/68/9/E9
- Research Directions in Multiple Sclerosis(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=34
- Article: Evidence for genetic regulation of vitamin D status in twins... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18689381&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Break in binocular fusion during head turning in MS patients... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18678831&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Efficacy and safety of a hip flexion assist orthosis in... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18674995&tool=MedlinePlus
- Multiple Sclerosis -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=multiple+sclerosis[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Find a Chapter(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/find-a-chapter/index.aspx
- Treatment Locations(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/getting-the-care-you-need/treatment-locations/index.aspx
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/
- ADA and People with Multiple Sclerosis(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=66
- Pediatric (Child) Multiple Sclerosis(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/who-gets-ms/pediatric-ms/index.aspx
- Someone You Know Has MS: A Book for Families(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=318
- When a Parent Has MS: A Teenager's Guide(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Links to PDF - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=319
- Men's Issues - Coping with Erectile Problems(Multiple Sclerosis International Federation) - http://www.msif.org/en/about_ms/ms_by_topic/relationships_intimacy_sexuality/mens_issues/index.html
- Pregnancy and Reproductive Issues(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/healthy-living/pregnancy/index.aspx
- Sexual Changes in MS(Multiple Sclerosis International Federation) - http://www.msif.org/en/about_ms/ms_by_topic/relationships_intimacy_sexuality/sexual_changes/index.html
- Bones, Joints and Muscles - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bonesjointsandmuscles.html
- Brain and Nerves - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/brainandnerves.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Multiple Sclerosis is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/