Multiple Sclerosis (MS) What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central
nervous system. It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. It
is an unpredictable condition that can be relatively benign,
disabling, or devastating. Some individuals with MS may be
mildly affected, while others may lose their ability to see
clearly, write, speak, or walk when communication between the
brain and other parts of the body becomes disrupted. Myelin is a
fatty tissue that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers.
Myelin is lost in multiple areas with MS. This loss of myelin
forms scar tissue called sclerosis. These areas are also called
plaques or lesions. When damaged in this way, the nerves are
unable to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain.
What causes multiple sclerosis? There are many possible causes
of MS, including the following: Infectious agents, such as
viruses However, not enough is known about the role these
factors play to definitively describe why a partic