Multiple sclerosis Dr Trisha Macnair Dr Rob Hicks Doctors believe multiple sclerosis (MS) is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, with symptoms ranging from tiredness to loss of coordination.

In this article

What is multiple sclerosis? Symptoms

Causes and risk factors Treatment and recovery

Advice and support

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that affects the transfer of messages from the central nervous system to the rest of the body. As there's no cure, medical treatment concentrates on symptom relief.

MS has a wide range of symptoms, is unpredictable and affects everyone differently. There are several different types, with different patterns of disease.

One in five people affected has a benign form with mild attacks and no permanent disability, while another 15 per cent have a progressive disease that steadily worsens.

Symptoms vary depending on the type of MS, but typically come and go. The condition can affect any part of the body but usually starts with a single episode of nerve dysfunction, classically inflammation of the optic nerve in one eye. Other common symptoms include:

• Double or blurred vision
• Numbness or tingling in any part of the body
• Tiredness
• Temporary blindness
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Distortion or loss of sense of touch
• Limb weakness, spasticity and pain
• Incontinence
• Constipation
• Cognitive impairment

Later there can be loss of coordination and speech difficulties. Depression often develops.

Although MS isn't primarily regarded as an inherited disorder, twin studies strongly suggest the presence of certain genes can make an individual susceptible to it. But other factors, possibly a viral infection, also play a part. There are no prenatal tests available.

MS is the most common neurological disorder among young adults, affecting 85,000 people in the UK with 2,500 newly diagnosed each year. It's more common in temperate rather than tropical climates. Scotland has the highest incidence in the world. Onset is usually between 20 and 40 years of age.

MS appears to develop because of an autoimmune response - for some unknown reason the body attacks itself.

People with the condition experience recurrent episodes of inflammation and destruction of the sheaths that surround and protect nerves (known as dymyelination). Small plaques form throughout the central nervous system.

As its precise cause remains unclear, it's not possible to prevent the condition and there's no cure. Treatments include medication to relieve pain and spasms, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, steroids and beta-interferon.

Cannabis is being researched as a possible treatment for pain and muscle spasticity in MS. Disease-modifying drugs may slow its progression.

NICE has approved the use of monoclonal antibody therapy such as natalizumab in some types of MS, after studies suggested these may be more effective than interferon therapies in certain ways, such as reducing the risk of relapse.

MS Society
Helpline: 0808 800 8000
Website: www.mssociety.org.uk

Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre
Helpline: 0800 783 0518
Web: www.msrc.co.uk

Multiple Sclerosis Trust
Tel: 01462 476700
Email: info@mstrust.org.uk
Web: www.mstrust.org.uk

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Gill Jenkins in September 2009.