Multiple Sclerosis

MULTIPLE Brain SCLEROSIS Spinal cord What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)? MS is a disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) in which the body's immune system attacks its own myelin the fatty, insulating layer surrounding neurons. These attacks occur in multiple areas of the central nervous system and over multiple time points causing plaques (areas of "sclerosis") to appear in the brain. These plaques can be seen on MRI scans. Plaques Did You Know? MS affects approximately` 400,000 Americans and over 1 million individuals worldwide Did You Know? MS is the most frequent non-traumatic disabiling disease of the nervous system among young adults, onset is typically between ages 20 and 40. 20 40 years years Who gets MS? The prevelence of MS is 1 out of 1,000 individuals. Onset of MS in typically in young adulthood 18-45. No one knows ages exactly what causes MS, but we do know some populations are more at Equator risk than others. Women, caucasians, and those who were born and grew up further from the equator are more likely to develop MS. What are the symptoms of MS? Since MS can affect any part of the brain or spinal cord, it can produce a wide variety of symptoms. Symptoms can include: Brain -Fatigue and depression Visual problems- Spinal cord Numbness or tingling in the limbs Trouble with Difficulty with bowels and balance bladder In fact, the symptoms and course of MS in individual patients is very variable no two MS patients are alike. Numbness or tingling in the limbs Treatment Options for MS While there is no cure for MS, there are multiple drugs that decrease the likelihood of having attacks. They each work in slightly different ways, but they all work by modulating the body's immune system. Some drugs are injections, some are oral, and some are infusions. An MS specialist will help a patient select the right drug for him/her based on a patient's medical history, disease course, and personal preferences. The goal of these drugs is to prevent attacks, prevent disability, and keep MS patients healthy. Mount Sinai O 2014 The Mount Sinal Hospital, New York You are free to copy, distribute and transmit this content, but you must attribute the work to the Mount Sinal Hospital, New York Visit: icahn.mssm.edu/MS or www.mountsinai.org/mscenter for more information.