About Multiple Sclerosis

Learn about Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic condition affecting the central nervous system. Discover its causes, symptoms, types, and treatment options to better understand and manage MS

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition that affects the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain and spinal cord. It is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue—in this case, the protective covering of nerve fibers known as myelin. This process, called demyelination, disrupts the normal flow of electrical signals between the brain and body, leading to a wide range of neurological symptoms.

Discover more details on, What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) here.

How Does MS Affect the Body?

The damage caused by MS can affect movement, sensation, and cognitive function. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include:

Muscle weakness or spasms
Numbness or tingling in the limbs
Difficulty with balance and coordination
Fatigue and cognitive changes
Vision problems, such as blurred or double vision

MS symptoms can come and go, worsen over time, or remain stable depending on the type of MS you have.

What is Multiple Sclerosis? (MS)

How MS Works

A person with MS experiences nerve damage. Our graphic below shows you how MS works, which will help you to better understand and manage the resulting symptoms.

MS diagnosis: The full guide

Initial MS symptoms can be difficult to attribute to MS. Your doctor will use the McDonald checklist to confirm an MS diagnosis. We explain how you can live well after diagnosis.

Types of MS

There are five types of multiple sclerosis you may have heard of, however, diagnosing a type can be difficult, and people with MS can change type as the years go by. The different kinds of MS and their definitions also change as we learn more about MS.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms vary from person to person. Read our guide covering many symptoms experienced by people with MS to help you understand the condition.

Symptoms of MS

Types of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

The course and symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can vary greatly from person to person, however there are five types of MS used to categorize the condition.

The type of MS is identified by determining the pattern of symptoms a person is experiencing. Pinpointing this pattern of symptoms helps us understand how a person diagnosed with MS may be affected over time.

Click the links below to learn more about the different types of MS.

Relapse-remitting MS (RRMS) Primary progressive MS (PPMS) Secondary-progressive MS (SPPMS) Progressive-relapsing MS (PRMS) CIS

Why do people get Multiple Sclerosis?

What Causes MS – Is MS Hereditary?

There's no single gene that causes MS. The causes of MS are built from a mix of genes, environmental factors and lifestyle factors.

MS Environmental Factors

Environmental factors increase the risk of developing the MS. Factors include smoking, low levels of vitamin D, sun exposure, high cow’s milk consumption and more.

What are the next steps?

At Overcoming MS, we are here to share the evidence-based lifestyle changes which can help you to live well with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). If you’re new to us, visit our page to help you find out how to get started.

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