About MS

It has occurred to the group that people may not have a complete understanding of Multiple Sclerosis at this point in their lives. So we decided to help anyone who was interested in learning more out. Here is a brief overvew of this complex disease.

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.

If you are interested in expanding your understanding of MS, feel free to visit the following link:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HOM_ABOUT_what_is_ms

Another explanation of multiple sclerosis can be found at: http://www.montelms.org/AboutMS

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
is literaly a "disease of many scars."

The scars - or scleroses - form on nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, which are the basic components of the central nervous system (CNS). Also known as plaques, these scars are the result of lesions that destroy the protective material that surrounds the nerve fibers. This material is called the myelin sheath.

Much like the insulation on an electrical wire, an intact myelin sheath keeps nerve impulses traveling rapidly and accurately along the nerve fiber. These impulses are essential to normal movement and sensation throughout the body.

MS lesions eat away at the myelin sheath, eventually healing into hardened scar tissue. This process is called demyelination.

The scar tissue "short circuits" or interferes with the proper transmission of nerve impulses to various systems in the body. The result is a broad array of motor and sensory disabilities.

If the sheath can regenerate itself - known as remyelination -- normal nerve function may return. If not, the nerve will eventually die, and the disability will be permanent.

As the extent of nerve damage increases, the level of disability can grow progressively worse over time.

Researchers believe the damaging lesions are caused by an autoimmune reaction, where the body's defense system mistakenly attacks its own tissue. What triggers this abnormal immune response is presently unknown, although viral infection and/or environmental factors are suspect. Genetics may also play a role in susceptibility to the disorder.

The immune system's assault causes inflammation of CNS tissues. The inflamed nerves then develop the destructive lesions that adversely affect a variety of functions, depending upon the location and extent of the lesion damage.

These functions include:

• Balance and Coordination
  
• Bladder/bowel control
  
• Pain
  
• Sensation
  
• Sexual function
  
• Speech
  
• Stamina
  
• Strength
  
• Thought process
  
• Vision