About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system.  The symptoms include blurred or double vision, and numbness or tingling of the limbs which can become as severe as total loss of vision or paralysis.  Diagnosis usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 50, the disease disproportionately affects women by a 2:1 ratio, and is most common in persons with Northern European ancestry.  While multiple sclerosis is not a fatal disease, it offers no "protection" from any other disease whose likelihood is increased with age, heredity or lifestyle.  The unpredictable physical and emotional effects are life long.

The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are giving hope to those affected by the disease.  The National MS Society recommends that people living with MS work with their physicians/neurologists to begin and maintain an appropriate course of drug therapy used to manage their symptoms and lessen the severity of relapses, or exacerbations.

For more information about MS, please visit www.nationalmssociety.org.

The Mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

The mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is to end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.  The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is working to accomplish this mission through a nationwide network of chapters that serve more people with MS and fund more MS research than any voluntary organization in the world.  In addition, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is the only national voluntary MS organization that meets the standards of all major agencies that rate the fiscal responsibility of non-profit groups.  You can call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 800-FIGHT-MS for information and referral on any MS related issue.  For specific information and advice on MS, please consult your personal physician or neurologist.