Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). The term multiple sclerosis (MS) comes from the Latin multus plus plica meaning “fold,” and the Greek sklerosis meaning “hardening". In essence, the nerve tissue that brings nerve signals to and from different parts of the body is covered in fatty layers called myelin sheaths. This fatty covering becomes inflamed and starts to break down and harden. This leads to the various symptoms of MS, which impacts the area of the body the affected nerves are communicating with.
The Symptoms
In multiple sclerosis, the symptoms depend on which area of the body is most affected. It can vary widely depending on the affected nerve fibers. Myelin sheaths can be compared to the coating on electrical wires, and signals can become impaired or slowed down without this coating. Some people have a benign form of MS, and it does not progress into more serious forms of the disease after an initial attack.
Some of the general symptoms of multiple sclerosis may include:
- Numbness and pain in the limbs
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Optic neuritis
- Electric shock sensations with head movements
- Double vision
- Tingling and pain in the limbs
- Partial or total vision loss
- Blurring of vision