MS can affect anyone

Some medical conditions are most easily identified by their abbreviations. MS (multiple sclerosis) is often one of them. The disease can be unpredictable and disabling.

MS occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system, which consists of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Damage to protective nerve coverings, and the nerve fibers themselves, slow or stop nerve transmission. The damaged areas develop scar tissue, which gives the disease its name – multiple areas of scarring or multiple sclerosis.

MS can cause many symptoms. These include blurred vision, loss of balance, slurred speech, numbness, problems with memory and concentration, and extreme fatigue.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, most people are diagnosed with MS between ages 20 and 50. However, MS can occur in young children and older adults. The disease is two to three times more common in women than in men, suggesting hormones may play a significant role in determining susceptibility to MS.

Multiple sclerosis affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide and there is no cure for the disease. Medications have been shown to reduce relapses and delay the progression of MS. Additionally, therapeutic and technological advances are helping people manage symptoms.

MS can affect anyone. Factors, such as low vitamin D and cigarette smoking, have been shown to increase the risk of MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.