MS
MS is a condition where the immune system attacks myelin in the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. The exact cause of Ms is not known, but genetics and environmental factors play a role.
Damage to myelin in these areas can result in hardened scars that can appear at different times and in different places. These can lead to various symptoms of demyelination, which can impact a wide range of body functions.
Some common symptoms of MS include:
- Numbness and tingling
- Weakness and fatigue
- Pain
- Vision changes, such as blurry vision or double vision
- Decreased bladder control
- Difficulty with balance and coordination
- Problems with concentration and memory
- Depression [2]
For a small number of people, the symptoms remain mild, but for many others, they can become severe. Most people experience times of relapse, when symptoms worsen for a while, and remission, when symptoms may disappear altogether.
MS usually starts between the ages of 20 and 50 years, and it affects two to three times as many women as men.