What Is MS?
Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week about 200 more people are
diagnosed with the disease. Worldwide, MS may affect more than 2 million individuals.
1
The exact cause of MS is unknown. However, it is known that MS is an autoimmune
disease that affects your central nervous system (CNS)—your brain, brainstem, and
spinal cord.
With MS, the immune system creates swelling that causes damage to the myelin which
is an insulating material surrounding the nerve fibers of the CNS.
When myelin is lost, scars called scleroses are left behind. Damaged areas or lesions
disrupt electrical impulses traveling from one part of the CNS to another. Because
of the disruption, signals controlling sensations may not register properly. There
may be a loss of feeling or even pain.
Important facts about MS
- MS affects all races, but is more common among people with northern European
ancestry1
- Women are 2 to 3 times more likely to have MS than
men1
- MS is not a fatal disease2
- The
majority of people with MS do not become severely disabled2