Multiple Sclerosis Summary 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 immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. Multiple sclerosis affects women 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 single test for MS. Doctors use a medical history, physical exam, neurological exam, MRI, and other tests to diagnose it. There is no cure for MS, but medicines may slow it down and help control symptoms. Physical and occupational therapy may also help. NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Related Issues “But You Look So Good!”: Managing Specific Issues National Multiple Sclerosis Society African Americans and Multiple Sclerosis National Multiple Sclerosis Society At Home with MS: Adapting Your Environment National Multiple Sclerosis Society Dealing with MS in Your Important Relationships National Multiple Sclerosis Society Dental Health: The Basic Facts National Multiple Sclerosis Society Depression and Multiple Sclerosis National Multiple Sclerosis Society Emotional Disorders in People with Multiple Sclerosis American Academy of Neurology FAQs about Hepatitis B Vaccine (Hep B) and Multiple Sclerosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Gait or Walking Problems National Multiple Sclerosis Society Guide for Caregivers National Multiple Sclerosis Society Health and Wellness National Multiple Sclerosis Society Hiring Help at Home: The Basic Facts National Multiple Sclerosis Society Multiple Sclerosis: Can It Cause Seizures? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Myoclonus National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Neuromyelitis Optica National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Preventive Care Recommendations for Adults with MS National Multiple Sclerosis Society Spasticity National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Encyclopedia BAER – brainstem auditory evoked response CSF cell count CSF myelin basic protein Head MRI Optic neuritis Palatal myoclonus Swallowing problems Array Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) collection CSF oligoclonal banding CSF oligoclonal banding – slideshow Daily bowel care program Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis – discharge Treatments and Therapies Clear Thinking about Alternative Therapies National Multiple Sclerosis Society Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis American Academy of Neurology MS Disease-Modifying Medications National Multiple Sclerosis Society Thunder God Vine National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs in MS: An Introduction National Multiple Sclerosis Society Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Multiple Sclerosis National Institutes of Health Living With Comprehensive Care National Multiple Sclerosis Society Diet & Nutrition National Multiple Sclerosis Society Dressing with Ease, Style and Comfort ALS Association Exercise National Multiple Sclerosis Society Living with Advanced MS National Multiple Sclerosis Society MedlinePlus: Mobility Aids Promoting Function, Independence, and Mobility National Multiple Sclerosis Society Rehabilitation in Managing MS National Multiple Sclerosis Society Staying Mobile National Multiple Sclerosis Society Staying Well National Multiple Sclerosis Society You CAN! 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Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Vitamin D Levels Predict Multiple Sclerosis Progression National Institutes of Health Teenagers When a Parent Has MS: A Teenager’s Guide National Multiple Sclerosis Society