Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks the protective sheath covering nerves, interfering with communication between the brain and body and potentially causing deterioration of the nerves. MS affects over 400,000 people in the US and 2 million worldwide, making it the most common neurological disorder for those under 40. While its causes are unknown, factors like genetics and sunlight exposure are thought to contribute. There is no definitive test and diagnosis utilizes MRI and nerve response tests. Approved drugs aim to treat attacks, modify the disease course, and relieve symptoms, though MS remains incurable.

1. Multiple Sclerosis
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2. Definition
 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder in which your body's
immune system eats away at the protective sheath that covers your nerves.
 This interferes with the communication between your brain and the rest of
your body.
 Ultimately, this may result in deterioration of the nerves themselves, a
process that's not reversible.

3. Multiple Sclerosis affects
over 400,000 people in the
United States and
approximately 2 million
people throughout the
world.
1 in 400 people are affected
by MS making it the most
common neurological
disorder in people under 40
years of age.

4. Causes & Symptoms
 The triggers of Multiple Sclerosis are unknown, there are thought to be a
wide variety of factors that contribute to disease including hormones,
genetics, and sunlight exposure.
 Twice as many women as men have MS
 Symptoms range from bladder dysfunction to vision problems to paralysis

5. Diagnosis
 There are no specific biomarkers to test for that are uniformly present in the
blood orCerebrospinal fluid of Multiple sclerosis patients, making definite
diagnosis of Multiple sclerosis very difficult.
 Tools that are currently utilized to assist in Multiple sclerosis diagnosis
include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and evoked potential tests.
 Normal onset of Multiple sclerosis occurs during adulthood(20-40), with
only 5% of all Multiple sclerosis cases diagnosed before the age of 18.

6. Treatment
 The challenge of finding effective Multiple sclerosis treatments has been made
especially difficult due to the varying disease courses between patients.
 There are currently 6 FDA-approved drugs used to treat Multiple sclerosis.
These drugs are used to treat attacks to help modify the course of the disease
and to treat the symptoms
 Research has produced new therapies and treatments for the disease that have
lengthened the lifespan of an Multiple sclerosis patient to that of a healthy
person
 However Multiple sclerosis remains an incurable disease.