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Multiple sclerosis
- Reviewed by Andrew E. Budson, MD, Contributor; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects nerve cells' protective sheath (myelin) in the brain and spinal cord, and it can affect the nerve cells (also known as neurons) as well. The damage disrupts or slows nerve signals.
MS can cause a variety of symptoms including impaired vision, mobility problems, cognitive impairment, muscle pain, and fatigue. Symptoms can come and go. Periods when symptoms suddenly worsen are called relapses (they are also referred to as attacks or flare-ups). They alternate with periods when symptoms improve (remissions).
MS can become debilitating. There is no cure for MS, but many medications and treatments can help manage relapses, ease symptoms, and slow the disease's progression.
MS affects more women than men. A family history of MS also raises a person's risk.
New thinking about plaque in arteries that feed the brain
Want to prevent shifting teeth? Maybe you need retainers
What you need to know about the new dietary guidelines
Food that's healthier for people and planet can be cheaper, too
New evidence that polyphenol-rich foods help the heart
How to spot Parkinson's disease symptoms
8 simple ways to reduce ultra-processed foods in your diet
GERD diet: Foods to avoid to reduce acid reflux
How to curb your stress eating
Heart failure symptoms in women: How they're different
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