FACTS

• It is a demyelinating disease.
• Effects vision, speech and coordination.
• Lesions develop in the brain.
• Symptoms occur at irregular intervalts for many years.
• MS is a disease where there is a loss of a white, fatty sheath in the brain or spinal chord called myelin.
• MS is not an inherited disease.
• The cause for MS is unknown, however, researchers believe that it is caused by viral infection. Others believe that it is an autoimmune dosorder.
• MS is rare in Asia and Africa, and is more comment in temperate climates.
• MS is usally diagnosed in the US from ages 20-40.
• MS sufferers are to live for about 20-30 years after they are diagnosed w/ MS, but some die within weeks, and some live on for more than 50 years.
• The electromyogram, (EMG), looks at the movement of nerves in muscles, and can diagnose nerve disorders such as MS.
• There is no treatment for MS, but radiation treatments have shown to lessen the progress of the disease.
• More than 250,000 Americans currentlysuffer from MS.
• It strikes the young.
• Most patients diagnosedare between 15-40.
• Women are the victims twice as frequently as men.
• It is not contagous.
• There is an inherited predisposition to the disease.
• When the Myelin is destroyed plaques or scars develop.
• Symptoms: Weakness in muscles, changes in fealing with numbness or tingling, double vision, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Cortisone-like substances are frequently used during acute attacks.
• After the first symptom another symptom may not be seen for months to years.
• It's present primarily in young adults.
• Most common in people of western European lineage and live in temperate zones.
• Usually, the first symptom is either weakness, ,numbness, tingling, or urinary hesitancy or urgeny.
• There are 5 clinics in Massachusetts.
• It is chronic(meaning it goes and comes) and affects the central nervous system.
• It is not contagious or inheritable.