When I tell people that I have MS, I always get this inquisitive look and inevitable the question that follows is....You have what? What is MS? Then I have to run down in short bullet points that MS stands for multiple sclerosis and what harm it does to the body. And then I get a weird look and the person says, "But you don't look sick!" Might I add that this makes EVERYONE who has a chronic illness want to scream!!
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects more women then men. MS causes damage to the myelin sheath or the protective covering of the nerve. When understanding multiple sclerosis it is easier to break the name down. Multiple mean many, and sclerosis means scarring. So the person who is diagnosed with MS has many scars located in their brain, better known as lesions.
The nerve damage is caused by inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the body's own immune cells attack the nervous system. Repeated episodes of inflammation can occur along any area of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord. One must remember that nerves control every part of your body, and damage on these nerves causes either slight or severe hinderance to the person affected.
There is no cure for MS, there are only numerous treatments which will be discussed in a later blog. MS has stumped researchers as to the cause of the disease. One clue is a previous viral infection i.e. mononucleosis. It seems that if you have had mono, you are four times more likely to have MS later on in your life. Lucky for me, I had mono not once but TWICE!!!
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