Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. In MS, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers called myelin. This myelin damage disrupts the normal transmission of nerve signals, leading to a wide range of neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness, vision problems, numbness, coordination issues, and cognitive difficulties
. The damage caused by MS results in scar tissue (called sclerosis or plaques) forming in the nervous system. These lesions interfere with nerve communication and can cause symptoms that vary widely depending on the location and severity of the damage. MS can present in different forms, including relapsing-remitting types where symptoms come and go, and progressive types where symptoms steadily worsen over time
. The exact cause of MS is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors that trigger the immune system to attack myelin. MS most commonly begins in young adults between ages 20 and 50 and affects women more often than men
. There is currently no cure for MS, but treatments are available to manage symptoms, reduce relapses, and slow disease progression
