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Overview

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and unpredictable autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. While most people with MS do not experience severe limitations, people can experience chronic pain, lack of coordination and balance, or cognitive limitations.

Symptoms of MS can vary over time for the same person and among people. Symptoms affect a wide range of activities such as walking, balancing, energy level, muscle coordination, bowel and bladder control and vision. MS can also have an impact on short- and long-term memory and recall; the speed of memory may diminish, but the accuracy of memory most often remains consistent.

Stats

There are approximately 350,000 people in the US with MS. Researchers believe that MS affects women twice as much as it affects men.

Impact

MS can cause loss of balance, impaired speech, extreme fatigue, double vision and paralysis. MS does not, though, seem to be significantly affect the lifespan of people who have it.