Multiple sclerosis (sklur-OH-suhss) (MS) is a disease of the brain and spinal cord. With MS, the immune system is believed to attack the protective coating, called myelin, around the nerves. The damage affects the brain and spinal cord. This can cause:
Muscle weakness
Trouble with coordination or balance
Numbness and a tingling feeling in the arms, legs, hands, and feet
Doctors use many tools and lab tests to find out if you have MS. If you have MS, your symptoms will most likely come and go. So getting the right diagnosis can sometimes take years.
Most people with MS are mildly affected. But MS can be debilitating in others. Some people with MS lose the ability to write, speak, or walk. MS can make it hard to concentrate or remember. Many people with MS also have depression.
There is no cure for MS. But many of the symptoms can be treated with medicines and physical therapy.
Multiple Sclerosis - This publication discusses the history of research on multiple sclerosis, where research currently stands, and what research needs to be done in the future.
Multiple Sclerosis: Hope Through Research - this web page provides answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about multiple sclerosis (MS). It discusses topics such as the causes and symptoms of MS, the research currently being conducted, and the treatment options available.
NINDS Multiple Sclerosis Information Page - This online fact sheet explains multiple sclerosis (MS) and provides information on treatments and prognosis. This publication also provides a list of related organizations for additional information.
A federal government website managed by the
Office on Women's Health
in the
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
at the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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