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) - 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 -
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
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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
- So, You Have Multiple Sclerosis...What's Next?(Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis) - Large PDF file - http://www.acceleratedcure.org/downloads/bcp-ms-whatsnext.pdf
- Stem Cell Transplants Help Multiple Sclerosis Victims(01/30/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_74690.html
- Pediatric MS Tied to Higher Relapse Rates(01/13/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_73766.html
- MRI Can Spot Presymptomatic Multiple Sclerosis(12/10/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_72655.html
- More News on Multiple Sclerosis http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_m.html#multiplesclerosis
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Diagnosing MS(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/diagnosing-ms/index.aspx
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
- Can Progressive MS Be Treated?(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/living-with-advanced-ms/can-progressive-ms-be-treated/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
- Plasmapheresis (Plasma Exchange)(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/treatments/medications/plasmapheresis-plasma-exchange/index.aspx
- Treatments(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/treatments/index.aspx
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine and MS(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/treatments/complementary--alternative-medicine/index.aspx
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Gingko(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/ginkgo/
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Thunder God Vine(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/tgvine/
- Nutrition and Diet(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/healthy-living/nutirtion-and-diet/index.aspx
- Exercise(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/healthy-living/exercise/index.aspx
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MedlinePlus: Mobility Aids - Canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mobilityaids.html
- Rehabilitation(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Large PDF file - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/treatments/rehabilitation/index.aspx
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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
- Cognitive Problems(Multiple Sclerosis International Federation) - http://www.msif.org/en/about_ms/ms_by_topic/cognitive_problems/
- Getting the Care You Need(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/getting-the-care-you-need/index.aspx
- Living with Advanced MS(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/living-with-advanced-ms/index.aspx
- Managing Specific Issues(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - Links to PDF - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/multimedia-library/brochures/managing-specific-issues/index.aspx
- Promoting Function, Independence, and Mobility(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/mobility-and-accessibility/index.aspx
- You CAN!(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/you-can/index.aspx
- Progressive Disease(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/living-with-advanced-ms/progressive-disease/index.aspx
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Schilder's Disease(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/schilders/schilders.htm
- Dressing with Ease, Style and Comfort(ALS Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.alsa.org/files/cms/Resources/FYI_07_Dressing.pdf
- Environmental Adaptations Can Clear the Way(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/mobility-and-accessibility/environmental-adaptations/index.aspx
- Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/symptoms/fatigue/index.aspx
- Hepatitis B Vaccine and Concerns about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/multiplesclerosis_and_hep_b.htm
- Hormones(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/research/research-we-fund/targeted-research/gender-differences/hormones/index.aspx
- Intimacy and MS(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/relationships/intimacy/index.aspx
- MS and Caregivers(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/relationships/caregivers/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
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Myoclonus(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myoclonus/myoclonus.htm
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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
- Staying Well(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/multimedia-library/brochures/staying-well/index.aspx
- Tremor and MS(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/symptoms/tremor/index.aspx
- Walking (Gait), Balance, and Coordination Problems(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/symptoms/walking-gait-problems/index.aspx
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Multiple Sclerosis(Patient Education Institute) - 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
- Insurance and Money Matters(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/insurance-and-money-matters/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
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Multiple Sclerosis(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Multiple+Sclerosis%22
- Genetics and Multiple Sclerosis(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/who-gets-ms/genetics/index.aspx
- Are "Statins" Beneficial or Harmful in Multiple Sclerosis?(American Academy of Neurology) - http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/full/71/18/e54
- Research News(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/research/research-news/index.aspx
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Neuromyelitis optica. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19119594&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Strategies for optimal disease management, adherence, and outcomes in multiple... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19105249&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Review: Mitochondria and disease progression in multiple sclerosis. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19076696&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/
- Knowing Your Rights(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/employment/knowing-your-rights/index.aspx
- Keep S'meylin(National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - http://www.nationalmssociety.org/multimedia-library/kids-keep-smyelin/index.aspx
- MS and Children: When a Parent has MS(Multiple Sclerosis International Federation) - http://www.msif.org/en/life_with_ms/family_friends_and_carers/ms_and_children.html
- 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/