MS is the most common neurological disorder among young adults.
What is MS?
Around each nerve fibre - the pathways along which messages and instructions are passed between different parts of the brain and the rest of the body - is an insulating wrapping of fatty membrane called myelin. In multiple sclerosis (MS) the myelin is broken down in patches throughout the central nervous system and the damaged patches become scarred (this is where the name comes from - sclerosis meaning scars and multiple obviously means many). Without the myelin coating, nerve messages cannot travel normally and they can become garbled or lost so that the instructions sent by the nervous system to different parts of the body are disrupted.
Who has it?
It is thought that between 85 and 100 thousand people in the UK - about 1 in 600 - have been diagnosed. MS affects more women than men (by a ratio of 3:2) with symptoms usually becoming apparent in young adults (between the ages of 20 and 40) even though a firm diagnosis might not be made for many years. The youngest known case of MS was a five year old little girl but it is rare for children to be diagnosed. We have a web pages specifically about Paediatric Multiple Sclerosis Research and Paediatric Multiple Sclerosis
MS can affect teenagers but again this is still pretty rare . You can read one Teenager's experience of MS to find out more.
What causes it?
No one knows - despite vast amounts of research which is still going on. Various factors may trigger an inborn susceptibility to MS. Such factors may cause inappropriate activity of the immune system - the body's defence mechanism - causing the destruction of myelin. Factors associated with MS may be more likely to occur in Northern Europe, Canada, the Northern States of the USA, New Zealand, and Tasmania since these are the places where the incidence of MS is highest. MS is not contagious - you cannot catch it from someone.
What problems does it cause?
As with most chronic illnesses, the problems are both physical and emotional. The severity and incidence of symptoms vary enormously from person to person and even from hour to hour.
Did you know?
One-third of people diagnosed with MS are still working, walking, and functioning relatively normally 25-30 years following their diagnosis
We at the MSRC (Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre) are great believers in the power of Self-help. We know of many many cases of MS where the individual has changed their prognosis themselves.
Many people find Complementary Therapies or make lifestyle changes which help them to stabilise MS, avoid relapses or even recover fully and keep MS at bay for good. For example many people find Dietary change, good nutrition, exercise, Vitamin D, avoiding stress, getting enough sleep, taking up yoga, or trying an MS drug of great help.
Our philosophy is "whatever works for you!" We are simply here help and support you in whatever way we can.
(The above information is complements of Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre in the UK.)