autoimmune

MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous
system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves.
Surrounding and protecting the nerve fibers of the CNS is a fatty tissue called
myelin, which helps nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses.

In MS, myelin is lost in multiple areas, leaving scar tissue called sclerosis. These
damaged areas are also known as plaques or lesions. Sometimes the nerve
fiber itself is damaged or broken.

Myelin not only protects nerve fibers, but makes their job possible. When myelin
or the nerve fiber is destroyed or damaged, the ability of the nerves to conduct
electrical impulses to and from the brain is disrupted, and this produces the
various symptoms of MS.

People with MS can expect one of four clinical courses of disease, each of
which might be mild, moderate, or severe.

MS is a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central
nervous system.

MS is not contagious and is not directly inherited.

MS is not considered a fatal disease.

The majority of people with MS do not become severely disabled.

There is no cure for MS yet, but drugs can help slow the course and/or
symptoms in some patients.

The above is from the brochure Just the Facts: 2004-2005.

Relapsing-Remitting
Characteristics: People with this type of MS experience clearly defined flare-ups
(also called relapses, attacks, or exacerbations). These are episodes of acute
worsening of neurologic function. They are followed by partial or complete
recovery periods (remissions) free of disease progression.
Frequency: Most common form of MS at time of initial diagnosis. Approximately
85%.

Primary-Progressive
Characteristics: People with this type of MS experience a slow but nearly
continuous worsening of their disease from the onset, with no distinct relapses
or remissions. However, there are variations in rates of progression over time,
occasional plateaus, and temporary minor improvements.
Frequency: Relatively rare. Approximately 10%.

Secondary-Progressive
Characteristics: People with this type of MS experience an initial period of
relapsing-remitting disease, followed by a steadily worsening disease course
with or without occasional flare-ups, minor recoveries (remissions), or plateaus.
Frequency: 50% of people with relapsing-remitting MS developed this form of
the disease within 10 years of their initial diagnosis, before introduction of the
“disease-modifying” drugs. Long-term data are not yet available to demonstrate
if this is significantly delayed by treatment.

Progressive-Relapsing
Characteristics: People with this type of MS experience a steadily worsening
disease from the onset but also have clear acute relapses (attacks or
exacerbations), with or without recovery. In contrast to relapsing-remitting MS,
the periods between relapses are characterized by continuing disease
progression.
Frequency: Relatively rare. Approximately 5%.




					Assisting People Afflicted With Multiple Sclerosis