![]() Read more advice about living with MS Outlook If you have been diagnosed with MS, it's important to take care of your general health. Many therapies aiming to treat progressive MS are currently being researched. Unfortunately, there's currently no treatment that can slow the progress of primary progressive MS, or secondary progressive MS, where there are no relapses. treatment to reduce the number of relapses using medicines called disease-modifying therapiesĭisease-modifying therapies may also help to slow or reduce the overall worsening of disability in people with a type of MS called relapsing remitting MS, and in some people with types called primary and secondary progressive MS, who have relapses.specific treatments for individual MS symptoms.treating relapses with short courses of steroid medicine to speed up recovery.The treatment you need will depend on the specific symptoms and difficulties you have. There's currently no cure for MS, but a number of treatments can help control the condition and ease symptoms. This damages and scars the sheath, and potentially the underlying nerves, meaning that messages travelling along the nerves become slowed or disrupted.Įxactly what causes the immune system to act in this way is unclear, but most experts think a combination of genetic and environmental factors is involved. In MS, the immune system attacks the layer that surrounds and protects the nerves called the myelin sheath. This is when something goes wrong with the immune system and it mistakenly attacks a healthy part of the body – in this case, the brain or spinal cord of the nervous system. In primary progressive MS, symptoms gradually worsen and accumulate over several years, and there are no periods of remission, though people often have periods where their condition appears to stabilise. Primary progressive MSīetween 1 and 2 in every 10 people with the condition start their MS with a gradual worsening of symptoms. Some people continue to have infrequent relapses during this stage.Ībout two-thirds of people with relapsing remitting MS will develop secondary progressive MS. In this type of MS, symptoms gradually worsen over time without obvious attacks. These can last for years at a time.Īfter many years (usually decades), many, but not all, people with relapsing remitting MS go on to develop secondary progressive MS. Periods between attacks are known as periods of remission. The symptoms of a relapse may disappear altogether, with or without treatment, although some symptoms often persist, with repeated attacks happening over several years. Relapses often occur without warning, but are sometimes associated with a period of illness or stress. These typically worsen over a few days, last for days to weeks to months, then slowly improve over a similar time period. Someone with relapsing remitting MS will have episodes of new or worsening symptoms, known as relapses. Relapsing remitting MSīetween 8 and 9 of every 10 people with MS are diagnosed with the relapsing remitting type. MS starts in 1 of 2 general ways: with individual relapses (attacks or exacerbations) or with gradual progression. If they think you could have MS, you'll be referred to a specialist in conditions of the nervous system (a neurologist), who may suggest tests such as an MRI scan to check for features of MS.įind out more about diagnosing MS Types of multiple sclerosis Let the GP know about the specific pattern of symptoms you're experiencing. The symptoms often have many other causes, so they're not necessarily a sign of MS. See a GP if you're worried you might have signs of MS. problems with thinking, learning and planningĭepending on the type of MS you have, your symptoms may come and go in phases or get steadily worse over time (progress).problems with balance and co-ordination.numbness or tingling in different parts of the body.vision problems, such as blurred vision.The symptoms of MS vary widely from person to person and can affect any part of the body. MS is one of the most common causes of disability in younger adults. It's about 2 to 3 times more common in women than men. It's most commonly diagnosed in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s although it can develop at any age. Average life expectancy is slightly reduced for people with MS. In many cases, it's possible to treat symptoms. It's a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.
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