Close
Close
MS is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (CNS).
When myelin is damaged, messages within and between the brain and spinal cord are disrupted and sometimes stop completely. The disrupted messages cause a variety of symptoms that differ from one person to another.
MS symptoms can come and go in an unpredictable fashion. If you have MS, it is important to know what kinds of symptoms can occur, so you can recognize them and work with your healthcare team to address them.
You might experience many of these symptoms, just a few of them, or other, less common symptoms. Your symptoms may come and go over the course of your MS. Although your symptoms may be similar to other people with MS, when they occur and how they feel to you are unique.
At this point, the exact cause of MS is not known. But it is believed to be caused by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors that we don’t completely understand.
MS is not directly inherited, meaning it is not passed down through generations. But genes play a role in the risk of developing MS.
Research has identified over 200 genes that each contribute a small amount to the risk of developing MS. For example, genes that control inflammation and autoimmunity may malfunction and contribute to developing the disease.
In addition to some gene variations, there are several other factors that are known to increase a person’s risk of developing MS. These include:
None of these risk factors are known to be a direct cause of MS, but each can contribute to someone’s risk of developing MS.
The future is impossible to predict, but you have a lot more control than you may think.
First, know that MS is not considered a fatal disease. Most people with MS live very close to a normal lifespan.
It is a chronic illness, meaning you will live with it your whole life, and there is no cure at this time. But MS is manageable.
You and your healthcare team will work together to manage your MS, which includes:
Living with MS is an ongoing learning process.
The more you learn about MS and about your own body, the better able you’ll be to make the best of your good times and deal with your down times.
It may not feel like it at first, but you are in charge of your life with MS.
One of the first things your doctor will bring up—and if they don’t, you should—is a disease-modifying therapy (DMT).
The evidence is clear: early and ongoing treatment with a DMT reduces the frequency of MS relapses and slows disease progression.
While your DMT is doing its job, your healthcare team will be there to help you manage any MS relapses and symptoms. Together, your goal will be finding the things that help you function at your best, using strategies like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, and emotional support.
Comprehensive MS care involves all these components. Comprehensive care is easiest to find at MS Centers, but you can create your own team of providers to work together and optimize your healthcare.
Disease-modifying therapies (DMT)
Treatments for multiple sclerosis that target immune system activity and modify disease activity. They can reduce the immune system’s inflammatory response and thereby limit new areas of inflammation in the CNS, reduce the number of new relapses, and limit the progression or worsening of the disease.
Managing MS is more than just controlling the disease and its symptoms. It’s setting goals, making plans, and deciding your future by taking control of your wellness.
Tending to your overall well-being makes the difference between living with MS and living well with it.
There are dozens of wellness factors outside of this disease that you have control over. These include:
By focusing on the things you can do, you’ll find that your wellness impacts your MS in surprising ways.
If you have no idea where to start, here are some ideas for your first steps on the path to wellness.
1. If you are a smoker, it's time to quit.
Stopping can slow your MS disease progression while also improving your overall health.
2. Have regular check-ups with your primary care provider.
Get the preventive health screenings recommended for your age group. Make sure to have regular dental care (yes, really), and receive the vaccinations that are recommended for you.
3. Start, resume, or create a new exercise plan.
It's a great idea to work with a physical therapist to develop a plan for activity that's geared to your ability level. You'll find that there is an abundance of benefits, such as reducing fatigue, boosting your mood, improving your cognitive function.
4. Create a healthy diet for yourself.
While there is no single diet that has been proven to impact the MS disease course, there are recommendations for people with MS to eat in ways that can improve well-being and reduce the risk for comorbidities.
5. Get adequate sleep.
It's essential to your overall health. Unfortunately, despite being plagued by fatigue all day, many people with MS also experience sleep disturbances. So talk to your healthcare provider about your sleep patterns if this is a struggle for you.
6. Pay attention to your mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Being diagnosed and living with MS will involve healthy grieving. However, MS can also cause clinical depression, in addition to other real, scary emotional challenges. Reach out to a mental health professional to help you work through these emotions or receive the appropriate treatment.
7. Tap into your spirituality.
Finding spiritual practices that help you feel grounded and connected to the world around you can significantly enhance your emotional and physical health.
Your wellness is up to you, and Can Do MS is here to help. You can create a lifestyle that helps you feel your best, every day, with MS.
Explore All Guides for MS
Start your journey to understand key topics for your health and wellness.
Explore All Guides for MS
