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Multiple Sclerosis

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Types of Illnesses & Disabilities > Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the electrical insulation (called myelin) that surrounds your nerve cells is destroyed. As a result, signals being sent along your nerve cells are slowed or blocked. MS may be caused by a problem in your body's defense system, called the immune system. In MS, the immune system may be attacking and destroying myelin.

Usually the disease is mild. But some people lose the ability to write, speak, or walk. If you have MS, your symptoms will most likely come and go. The first symptoms are often visual problems, such as:

• blurred or double vision
• not being able to tell the difference between red and green
• blindness in one eye

Other MS symptoms include:

• muscle weakness in your arms or legs
• trouble with coordination and balance
• feeling very tired
• sensations such as numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles"
• thinking and memory problems

There is no single test for diagnosing MS. Doctors use many tools and lab tests to find out if you have MS. Since symptoms often come and go, getting the right diagnosis can sometimes take years.

There is no cure for MS. But many of the symptoms can be treated with medicines and physical therapy. Staying as physically active as possible is important. But in many MS patients, heat, including that caused by physical activity, can make symptoms worse. For that reason, swimming is a good physical activity choice for people with MS.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Employees with Multiple Sclerosis - This publication for employers contains basic information regarding questions that might be considered when determining accommodations for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. This article discusses the issues that can affect these individuals, offers suggestions for employers and also includes example accommodations as well as a list of resources for further information.

   http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/MS.html

2.     Multiple Sclerosis - This publication discusses the history of research on multiple sclerosis, where research currently stands as well as what research needs to be done in the future.

   http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/MultipleSclerosis.pdf

3.   Multiple Sclerosis: Hope Through Research - This publication offers information on multiple sclerosis, statistics on MS, diagnosis, and links to resources. Also includes drug updates.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/detail_multiple_sclerosis.h...

4.   NINDS Multiple Sclerosis Information Page - This on-line fact sheet explains Multiple Sclerosis/MS and provides information on treatments as well as prognosis. This publication also provides a list of related organizations for additional information.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/multiple_sclerosis.htm

5. About Multiple Sclerosis (Copyright © The National MS Society) - This brochure gives a description of multiple sclerosis (MS) in addition to discussing the symptoms and possible treatment options.

   http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/index.aspx

6. Atlas of MS Database (Copyright © Multiple Sclerosis International Federation) - The Atlas of MS database provides information and data on the epidemiology of MS and the availability and accessibility of resources for people with MS at country, regional, and global levels. The contents of the database can be searched and illustrated through maps, charts or spreadsheets in the data query section.

   http://www.atlasofms.org/index.aspx

7. Multiple Sclerosis (Copyright © NOAH) - This webpage provides links to detailed information on the causes and diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, as well as potential complications, various treatment options, and numerous links to publications which provide information on all aspects of life that can be affected by MS.

   http://www.noah-health.org/es/bjm/ms/index.html

Organizations

1.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
2. American Academy of Neurology
3. American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
4. Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
5. Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Inc
6. Myelin Project, The
7. National Multiple Sclerosis Society

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.