<<Back

MS Frequently Asked Questions

• What is multiple sclerosis?
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system ­ the brain and spinal cord. The disease attacks the protective myelin covering of the central nervous system, causing inflammation and often destroying the myelin in patches. The severity of MS, progression and specific symptoms cannot be predicted at the time of diagnosis. MS is a difficult disease for people and their families to live with since it¹s unpredictable physical and emotional effects will be with them for the rest of their lives.
  
  
• What are some common MS symptoms?
  While MS symptoms are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person, they may include: vision disturbances such as double or blurred vision; extreme fatigue; loss of balance; problems with coordination; stiffness of muscles; speech problems; bladder and bowel problems; short-term memory problems; even partial or complete paralysis. However, not all people with MS will experience all symptoms and often the symptoms will improve during periods of remission.
  
  
• Why do MS symptoms develop?
  MS attack the protective covering ­ myelin ­ of the brain and spinal cord, causing inflammation and often damaging the myelin in patches. When this happens, the natural flow of nerve impulses along the nerve fibers is interrupted or distorted. The result may be the wide variety of MS symptoms, depending upon what part or parts of the central nervous system is affected. The damaged parts of myelin are often called "lesions" or "plaques".
  
  
• What causes MS?
  We do not know as yet what causes MS. Most researchers believe that MS is an autoimmune disease. For reasons that are still unclear, the body¹s immune system malfunctions and starts attacking the myelin which protects the central nervous system. There is some evidence that MS may be triggered by a common virus, and that certain people are more susceptible to developing MS because of genetic factors. There is no evidence, however, that MS is a directly inherited disease. A number of genes are probably involved in whatever makes some people more susceptible to MS.
  
  
• Who gets MS?
  Multiple sclerosis most often strikes young adults ­ women and men between the ages of 20 to 40 who are in their career and family building years. Women develop MS almost twice as often as men.
  
  
• How many people have MS?
  An estimated 50,000 Canadians have multiple sclerosis. Prevalence rates range from on MS case per 500 people to one in 1,000 across the country. Canada is a high risk area for the disease, which occurs more often in countries, like Canada, which are further away from the equator.
  
  
• Is multiple sclerosis fatal?
  MS is not a fatal disease. People who have MS can be expected to live a normal or near normal life span, thanks to improvements in the treatment of symptoms and in other therapies for people with MS.
  
  
•  Does MS change over time?
  Most people are diagnosed with the relapse-remitting form of MS. Over time, some people in this category develop secondary-progressive MS while others may have mild attacks but do not worsen. They are considered to have benign MS.
  
  
• Are there treatments for MS?
  Since 1995, four medications have been approved in Canada for the treatment of relapsing- remitting MS and one is now available for secondary-progressive MS. The treatments have been shown in clinical trials to actually modify the course of the disease. They decrease the frequency and severity of MS attacks, reduce the number of MS lesions in the brain and several have been shown to slow the progression of disability. Also important are therapies which are available to help MS symptoms such as spasticity, bladder problems, pain and fatigue.
  
  
• Is MS contagious?
  No, MS is not contagious, nor is it directly inherited although research studies now underway are suggesting that genetic factors make certain people more susceptible to developing MS.