What is Multiple sclerosis (MS)?
MS is an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to attack the brain or spinal cord.
What causes MS?
Multiple sclerosis occurs when a person’s immune system mistakes the myelin sheath in the brain and spinal cord for a foreign substance and attacks it.
The myelin sheath is responsible for protecting nerves and helping them to send messages from the brain to the rest of the body.
The attacks lead to inflammation in the myelin sheath and result in the disruption to the flow of information within the brain and from the brain to the rest of the body.
It is unclear what exactly causes these attacks, but it is likely that it is due to both genetic and environmental factors.
What are the symptoms of MS?
There is a wide range of symptoms of multiple sclerosis that can affect any part of the body.
Some common symptoms include:
- Difficulty walking
- Fatigue
- Muscle stiffness and spasms
- Vision problems
- Issues with balance and coordination
The symptoms experienced vary from person to person and may come and go.
If you think you may be displaying early signs of MS, seek the advice of your GP.
