What is MS

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). This is the result of damage to myelin (a protective sheath which surrounds the nerve fibres of the CNS. When myelin is damaged, the messages between the brain and other parts of the body are interfered with.

“The predominant theory today is that MS results from attacks by an individual’s immune system on the CNS.” (Wikipedia)

Common symptoms

There is a wide range of symptoms for MS, including changes in sensation, depression, difficulties with coordination and speech, muscle weakness, pain, severe fatigue, and visual problems. Other common symptoms may include flickering eye movements, tremors, clumsiness of the hands, and bladder and bowel difficulties.

Relapsing MS

There are several types of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Most will only vary in the degree or extent it affects the Central Nervous System (CNS). The most frequent type of MS is Relapsing MS.

Relapsing-remitting describes the initial course of 85% of people with MS. This type of MS is characterized by unpredictable attacks (relapses) followed by periods of months to years of remission.

Factors triggering a relapse

MS relapses can occur without warning, with no obvious factors. However different environments can be more likely to trigger attacks. For example attacks in general are more common in spring and summer than during autumn and winter. General sickness like the common cold or influenza can increase the risk for an attack, but this does not exclude severe illness of any kind.

Heat can increase symptoms but there is no evidence that it increases relapses.

Why does multiple sclerosis occur?

No definitive cause has been found. MS could be some kind of combination of both genetic and environmental factors. “Although most accept an autoimmune explanation, (Autoimmunity is the failure of an organism to recognize its own parts as "self", which results in an immune response against its own cells and tissues.), several theories suggest that MS is an appropriate immune response to an underlying condition”