CLEVELAND CLINIC...CLICK TO READ MORE"What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks normal tissues of the body. In MS, these attacks are aimed at the myelin in the Central Nervous System (CNS). The Central Nervous System, which includes the brain and spinal cord, is made up of nerves that act as the body’s messenger system. Each nerve has a fatty covering of myelin that serves as insulation, which helps in the transmission of nerve impulses (messages) between the brain and other parts of the body. Once myelin in a certain area has been damaged, normal nerve function is disturbed and a number of symptoms can be experienced. The types of symptoms, severity of symptoms, and the course of MS varies widely due in part to the sites of the plaques and the extent of demyelination.

The Cause of Multiple Sclerosis
There is no known cause of MS; the disease is probably related to a number of factors. While symptoms relate to problems with the central nervous system, MS appears to be a disease of immune system function. The ultimate consequence of MS is the entrance of immune cells into the CNS, attacks on the myelin, and eventually myelin loss and scarring. The entire process results in the failure of nerve impulses acting properly.

The Course of MS
The course of multiple sclerosis varies from person to person and there is no way to predict how a person’s MS will progress. Four basic types of MS have been defined:

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Relapsing-Remitting: characterized by acute attacks (exacerbations) with full recovery or some neurological symptoms after recovery. The periods between disease relapses are characterized by a lack of disease progression.


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Primary-Progressive: characterized by a gradual but steady progression of disability, without any obvious relapses and remissions.


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Secondary-Progressive: initially begins with a relapsing-remitting course, but later evolves into progression at a variable rate.


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Progressive-Relapsing: characterized by a steady progression in disability with acute attacks that may or may not have some recovery following an acute episode."