What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, where a body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells instead of the sick ones. MS specifically attacks myelin, the protective layer around the nerve fibers, which causes the brain and the rest of the body to be disconnected. Because of this, the body weakens overall since the brain cannot directly signal to the rest of the body. This causes MS symptoms that can include fatigue, muscle weakness, vision problems, and balance issues.

There are five types of MS: clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, secondary-progressive MS, primary-progressive MS, and radiologically isolated syndrome. Clinically isolated syndrome comes from a single attack where symptoms appear. This is followed by a complete or near-complete recovery. The second kind, relapsing-remitting MS, involves recurrent attacks with total or partial recovery. “Remission” is the inactivity of the disease between relapses. A “relapse” is a recurrence of symptoms after a remission phase. This type can be treated with disease-modifying therapies to reduce the frequency of attacks. Secondary-progressive MS is what happens when relapsing-remitting MS evolves, making attacks less common with steady symptoms. Primary-progressive MS is a less common type of MS that has progressively worsening symptoms, but no noticeable attacks. The fifth and final kind of MS is radiologically isolated syndrome. This is the rarest type of MS, as the individual would have abnormal MRI results that look like MS, but no symptoms. Attacks or progression symptoms have a possibility of happening in the future.

MS Butterfly Ribbon

Symptom Management

  • Physical Exercise

    Exercise can specifically target areas of need regarding strength, balance and coordination. Exercise can improve mood and acceptance by increasing the production of neurotransmitters and therefore increased positive feelings. Assistive devices can improve independence and safety with activities of daily mobility and with functional mobility. Low level exercise can be helpful for many of the symptoms especially mood changes and loss of functional mobility, this would include balance and coordination activities.

  • Mental Exercise

    The best symptom management can look like getting enough sleep, maintaining Vitamin Levels, especially D's and B’s, and cutting out any major stressors in life if possible is massively helpful. Meditation to calm and focus the mind can help with mood and increase happiness and clarity of thought. When practiced regularly, meditation can lower inflammation as well.

  • Diet and Support

    Dietary and hydration considerations are important for overall decreased inflammation, decreased stress and overall strength and wellness. Social activities and support groups can improve mood and foster relationships and a sense of belonging. An overall focus on how inflammation shows up in our bodies and ways to decrease inflammation is imperative and is done with decreasing stress, increasing healthy foods, adequate water and sleep and improved mobility and a sense of accomplishment.

Resources

Below are some resources to provide additional information about
multiple sclerosis and how to manage symptoms.

Can Do Multiple Sclerosis

A website where neurologists explain multiple sclerosis in articles aimed towards people who need information about the disease and are learning about what they can do to help.

Hackensack Meridian Health

New Jersey’s top-ranked hospital network that has information for all medical ailments from doctors in that specific field.

MS Trust

An independent multiple sclerosis focused charity that supports people with MS with information and donations

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

An official website of the United States government that provides research from different medical sources that must be credible.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

A charity that works to support those living with MS that has their own medical research team making the information they put out accurate.

Practical Neurology

A website that contains information from recent neurological studies and other research.

About the Author

Delaney McNeill is a senior at Northgate High School, class of 2026. She is doing her senior project on multiple sclerosis and how it impacts longevity in women because of her grandmother who has it. Since Delaney's grandmother was diagnosed with MS, she has been able to see firsthand how it impacts her life and the lives of those around her. Delaney lives in California and her grandmother lives in Texas, meaning she cannot help her in person. Delaney's goal with this research is to educate herself more on this autoimmune disease and how it impacts the human body. She wants to be able to use this information to help spread awareness and educate others about MS.

Delaney McNeill