How does MS wreak its damage?
If you or a loved one has multiple sclerosis (MS), you already know about the symptoms. They may include muscle weakness, trouble with coordination and balance, vision problems, thinking and memory issues, and sensations such as numbness, prickling, or “pins and needles.”
What you may not know is how this autoimmune disease actually affects the body. How does it interfere with the messaging system that helps your brain control your actions?
Nerve damage can occur anywhere in the spinal cord and/or brain, which is why MS symptoms may vary from person to person. Depending on the location and severity of the white blood cell attack, symptoms may include:
- loss of balance
- muscle spasms
- weakness
- tremors
- bowel and bladder problems
- eye problems
- hearing loss
- facial pain
- brain issues such as memory loss
- sexual issues
- problems with speech and swallowing
MS attacks tissues in the brain and spinal cord, known as the central nervous system (CNS). This system includes the complex network of nerve cells responsible for sending, receiving, and interpreting information from all parts of the body.
During daily life, the spinal cord sends information to the brain via these nerve cells. The brain then interprets the information and controls how you react to it. You can think of the brain as the central computer and the spinal cord as a cable between the brain and the rest of the body.
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