What is MS?
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system which is unpredictable and often disabling. A protective covering surrounding the nerves of the central nervous system called the myelin is attacked by the disease. This damages the nerve cord inside and stops the signals from being transmitted through the body. MS affects vision, memory, hearing, balance, and mobility. Multiple sclerosis is often diagnosed in young adults, aged 15 to 40. It also affects children as young as two years old. Family, friends, and the community feel the impact of MS, even if not directly affected. The effects of MS are emotional, physical, financial, and it lasts for a lifetime. Unfortunately, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis at the moment, but scientists are working towards finding a treatment.
Below is a video explaining in detail what multiple sclerosis is and how it occurs.
Below is a video explaining in detail what multiple sclerosis is and how it occurs.
Download this file below to see an animation of how a myelin scar affects the signals being passed through the body. | |
File Size: | 60 kb |
File Type: | ppsx |
Did you know? -The name ''multiple sclerosis'' comes from the scars that are left on the nerve fibres. Multiple sclerosis can be interpreted with the meaning "many scars".
There are four different types of diseases in MS.
There are four different types of diseases in MS.
Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
There is relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). This type of MS has unpredictable, but identifiable, stages during which new symptoms appear, or existing symptoms worsen. The special thing about RRMS is recovery between worsening stages or attacks. These recoveries can either be complete (Figure 1a) or nearly complete (Figure 1b).
Did you know? -Almost 85% of people diagnosed with MS have RRMS.
Did you know? -Almost 85% of people diagnosed with MS have RRMS.
Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Another type of MS is primary progressive MS (PPMS) in which the duration of MS is identified by a slow increase in disability without any recovery (Figure 2a). Although there can be periods of time where there may be minor and temporary improvements (Figure 2b).
Did you know? -Almost 10% of people affected with MS have PPMS.
Did you know? -Almost 10% of people affected with MS have PPMS.
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
A third type of MS is secondary progressive MS (SPMS) which is similar to RRMS. In SPMS the disease worsens and the obvious improvements in RRMS become less obvious in SPMS. SPMS can either get worse steadily (Figure 3a) or it can have periods of sudden outbreak, minor recovery, and periods of stableness (Figure 3b). But overall, it continually increases in disability.
Did you know? -About 50% of people who have RRMS will eventually develop SPMS within 10 years.
Did you know? -About 50% of people who have RRMS will eventually develop SPMS within 10 years.
Progressive Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis
The last and rarest type of MS is Progressive Relapsing MS (PRMS). In this type of MS, the disease steadily worsens from the start.There are also definable attacks of symptoms. There can either be recovery (Figure 4a) or no recovery (Figure 4b).
Did you know? -About 5% of people diagnosed have PRMS.
Did you know? -About 5% of people diagnosed have PRMS.
Facts about Multiple Sclerosis
- One of the highest rates in of multiple sclerosis in the world in is Canada.
- The most common neurological disease that affects young Canadian adults is Multiple Sclerosis.
- Three more people are diagnosed with MS in Canada - everyday.
- Women are three times more likely to develop MS than men are.
- MS causes balance loss, impaired speech, double vision, extreme tiredness or fatigue, and also paralysis.
- Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot, a French neurologist, was the first one to identify and describe MS in 1868.
- Although the causes of MS are still unknown, scientists are getting closer to finding out.