Multiple Sclerosis is a baffling, unpredictable

disease which affects adults, predominately

women, between the ages of 20 and 40 and causes

damage and deterioration of the myelin covering

which surrounds nerve fibres in the central

nervous system

Myelin acts as an insulator and helps conduct nerve

pulses or messages from nerve endings to the brain

and visa versa.

Scarring of the myelin causes a slowing down,

distortion or, in severe cases, complete blockage

of the flow of messages from the nerves to the

brain and back again.


The results and their severity are completely

unpredictable and differ enormously. They may

include loss of balance and co-ordination,

diminished vision, weakness of limbs, extreme

fatigue (especially during hot weather), impaired

speech and loss of bladder control. A person with

MS might experience one, several or all of these

symptoms, depending on the location and extent

of damage to nerve tissue.


No two cases of MS are identical. At one extreme,

it is a chronic progressive and debilitating disease.

At the other, it is a sudden, short lived annoyance

such as temporary blurred vision. It is common for

these people who look and feel perfectly healthy

to be suddenly subjected to MS symptoms, quickly

recover and enjoy good health again for many

years.






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