Multiple Sclerosis

Also called: MS

On this page

Basics

Summary
Start Here
Diagnosis and Tests
Treatments and Therapies

Learn More

Living With
Related Issues
Specifics
Genetics

See, Play and Learn

No links available

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 specific 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

Start Here

Multiple Sclerosis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Multiple Sclerosis (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (Cleveland Clinic Foundation)

Diagnosis and Tests

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
CSF Immunoglobulin G (IgG) Index (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
CSF oligoclonal banding - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Diagnosing MS (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

Treatments and Therapies

Clear Thinking about Alternative Therapies (National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - PDF
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis (American Academy of Neurology) - PDF
Thunder God Vine (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs in MS: An Introduction (National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - PDF

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: Advanced Care Needs (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Managing Multiple Sclerosis: Treatment Can Delay Future Attacks (National Institutes of Health) Also in Spanish
Mobility Aids: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Rehabilitation in Managing MS (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Staying Mobile (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Staying Well (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Work and Home (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

Related Issues

"But You Look So Good!": Managing Specific Issues (National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - PDF
At Home with MS: Adapting Your Environment (National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - PDF
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) - PDF
Gait or Walking Problems (National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - PDF
Guide for Caregivers (National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - PDF Also in Spanish
Hepatitis B Vaccine and Multiple Sclerosis FAQs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
MS in Your Relationships (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and the Black Community (National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - PDF
Multiple Sclerosis: Can It Cause Seizures? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Myoclonus (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Neuromyelitis Optica (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Also in Spanish
Preventive Care Recommendations for Adults with MS (National Multiple Sclerosis Society) - PDF
Spasticity (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Specifics

Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS) (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS) (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Schilder's Disease (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS) (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

Genetics

Multiple sclerosis: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)

Statistics and Research

Research News (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Shaking Out Clues to Autoimmune Disease (National Institutes of Health)
Technique Selectively Represses Immune System (National Institutes of Health)
Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Is There Any Connection? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Vitamin D Levels Predict Multiple Sclerosis Progression (National Institutes of Health)

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Multiple Sclerosis (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Find an Expert

Children

Multiple Sclerosis (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation)
Pediatric MS (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

Women

Pregnancy and Reproductive Issues (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

Patient Handouts

Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) collection (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
CSF oligoclonal banding (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Daily bowel care program (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Multiple sclerosis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Multiple sclerosis - discharge (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish