Riding the Waves of MS
Advancements in multiple sclerosis treatments are catching up but can’t cure or prevent the disease In 2001, Nicolette Fendon was all set to see the world from the deck of a 50-foot wooden ketch sailboat, part of a documentary miniseries with a crew of seaworthy misfits from all corners of the globe. Reviewing the contract late one […]
Researchers may have discovered a cause of multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that causes damage to the substance that covers nerve cells. This interrupts normal communication between nerves, leading to problems with movement, speech, and other functions. We don’t know what causes multiple sclerosis, but we think it is an autoimmune disease. What is an autoimmune disease? Autoimmune diseases develop when […]
Variety of factors increase risk of developing MS
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What causes multiple sclerosis, or MS, in people who don’t have it in their family? ANSWER: The exact cause of multiple sclerosis isn’t known. But it’s clear that a variety of factors can increase a person’s risk of developing this disease. Along with genetics, those risk factors include age, sex, a medical […]
For people with multiple sclerosis, can exercise change the brain?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition of unknown cause in which the covering lining of nerve fibers (called myelin) is damaged. Myelin is like insulation on a wire — when it is damaged, nerve impulses are not transmitted properly. This leads to an array of symptoms including weakness, vision problems, numbness, tingling and poor coordination […]
Five things you need to know about multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can happen to just about anyone. The central nervous system disorder affects your brain and spinal cord. But it spares the nerves and muscles that lead away from the spinal cord. About 400,000 people in the United States have MS. MS is a long-term illness. Infection-fighting white blood cells enter the nervous […]