Facts about MS

It is a demyelinating disease
Effects vision, speech and coordination
Lesions develop in the brain
Symptoms occur at irregular intervals 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, some researchers believe that it is caused by viral infection. Others believe that it is an auto immune disorder
MS is rare in Asia and Africa, and is more comment in temperate climates
MS is usually diagnosed in the US from ages 20-40
MS sufferers are to live for about 20-30 years after they are diagnosed with 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 currently suffer from MS
Women are the victims twice as frequently as men.
It is not contagious
There is an inherited predisposition to the disease
When the Myelin is destroyed plaques or scars develop
Symptoms: Weakness in muscles, changes in feeling 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 urgency
There are 5 clinics in Massachusetts
It is chronic(meaning it goes and comes) and affects the central nervous system