Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common of the demyelinating diseases and affects adults of all ages and some children. Multiple Sclerosis is a very complex disorder and is categorised into four types (as Follows):

Benign - Approx 10% of all people with MS. Characterised by one or two attacks after which the condition stabilises for a long period of time, generally in excess of 10 years.

Relapsing-Remitting - Approx 40% of all people with MS. People often make a full recovery after a relapse or an attack. Further relapse occur after which increasing disability remains. Relapses vary in severity and duration, existing symptoms may worsen and new ones may appear.

Secondary Progressive - Approx 40% of all people with MS. It is estimated that half of the people with relapsing-remitting disease eventually stop entering the remission phrases and their condition deteriorates continuously.

Primary Progressive - Approx 10% of all people with MS. There are no recognisable relapses or remissions, but people show progressive disability whereby symptoms persist following their first attack.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis is a demyelinating disease in which the myelin or fatty sheaths which insulate nerve fibres appear to disintegrate. This occurs patchily and seemingly at random throughout the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and results in interference with the passage of impulses through the affected nerves. Messages to and from the brain do not communicate properly, which causes, changes in sensation, balance or muscular co-ordination, which can occur at varying intervals of time and spaced out over months or years in such a way as to appear unconnected.

The word Sclerosis is used elsewhere in medicine to describe a process of hardening, as in arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. 'Sclerosis en plaque' was a term used by the French neurologist Jean Charcot who is generally credited with having first identified the disease in the 1860's. The name indicates how multiple patches (plaques) of hardening appear in the central Nervous system. In Britain the condition was originally known as 'disseminating sclerosis' until the popular American usage was imported and became the standard term.

Lesions or plaques can form in any part of the central nervous system and therefore symptoms can vary in type, location and severity. A combination of symptoms is common. The commonest site initially is the spinal cord and symptoms can include weakness in the arms and legs or numbness in the feet which gradually ascends to the waist. Bladder and bowel control may also be disrupted. The optic nerve is another common site for initial lesions causing 'optic neuritis', symptoms range from blurring of vision to blindness.

Another site where plaques may form initially is the brain stem or cerebellum where all the sensory information is processed to regulate movement. If this occurs the result is a loss of movement control. The limbs become uncoordinated giving rise to unsteadiness in standing, walking, and movement (Ataxia). Vertigo, double vision (diplopia) and sudden episodes of excruciating stabbing pain in the lips, cheek, chin or tongue (trigeminal neuralgia) are a fairly common result of brain stem lesions. They occur in about 15% of people with MS initially and in the majority at some stage in the course of the disease.

People with MS and their friends and families are often lonely, frightened and confused. The British Trust is here to help and restore people's hope and faith. We are unique in that we provide information and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 365 days a year. The support provided is by laypeople that are also affected by these diseases and can personally relate to experiences, thoughts and feelings that people with MS are going through.

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