Frequently Asked Questions
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What is
multiple sclerosis?
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Who gets
multiple sclerosis?
-
What are some common
MS symptoms?
-
Why do MS symptoms
develop?
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What causes MS?
-
How many people
have MS?
-
Is multiple sclerosis
fatal?
-
Does MS change
over time?
-
Are there treatments
for MS?
-
Is MS contagious?
-
Is there hope
for a cure?
-
What other role
does the MS Society of Canada have?
-
What does
the MS Society do in government relations and social
action?
1. What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable,
often disabling disease of the central nervous system —
the brain and spinal cord. The disease attacks the protective
myelin covering of the central nervous system, causing inflammation
and often destroying the myelin in patches. In its most common
form, MS has well defined attacks followed by complete or partial
recovery. The severity of MS, progression and specific symptoms
cannot be predicted at the time of diagnosis.
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2. Who gets multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis can occur at any age.
It is usually diagnosed between the ages of 15 to 40, during
the career and family building years. It can make its first
appearance in young children and in older adults. MS is more
than three times as likely to occur in women than in men and
is seen most commonly in people of northern European background.
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3. What are some common MS symptoms?
MS symptoms are unpredictable and vary greatly
from person to person. Symptoms may include: vision disturbances
such as double or blurred vision; extreme fatigue; loss of
balance; problems with coordination; stiffness of muscles;
speech problems; bladder and bowel problems; short-term memory
problems, and even partial or complete paralysis. Please keep
in mind, not all people with MS will experience all symptoms
and often the symptoms will improve during periods of remission.
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4. Why do MS symptoms develop?
MS attacks the protective covering —
myelin — of the brain and spinal cord, causing inflammation
and often damaging the myelin in patches. When this happens,
the usual flow of nerve impulses along nerve fibres (axons)
is interrupted or distorted. The result may be the wide variety
of MS symptoms, depending upon what part or parts of the central
nervous system are affected. The damaged parts of myelin are
often called “lesions” or “plaques”.
There also is evidence that permanent damage to nerve fibres
may occur in association with the attack on myelin.
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5. What causes MS?
We do not know as yet what causes MS. Most
researchers believe that MS is an autoimmune disease. For reasons
that are still unclear, the body’s immune system malfunctions
and starts attacking the myelin which protects the central
nervous system. There is some evidence that MS may be triggered
by a common virus, and that certain people are more susceptible
to developing MS because of genetic factors. There is no evidence,
however, that MS is a directly inherited disease. A number
of genes are probably involved in making some people more susceptible
to MS.
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6. How many people have MS?
An estimated 55,000-75,000 Canadians have
multiple sclerosis. Prevalence rates range from one MS case
per 500 people to one in 1,000 across the country. Canada is
a high risk area for the disease, which occurs more often in
countries, like Canada that are further away from the equator.
The MS Society estimates, based on current prevalence rates,
that approximately 1,000 new cases of MS are diagnosed each
year, which means three more people are diagnosed with MS everyday
in Canada.
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7. Is multiple sclerosis fatal?
MS is not a fatal disease for the vast majority
of people with MS. Most people who have MS can expect to live
a normal or near normal life span, thanks to improvements in
the treatment of symptoms and in other therapies for people
with MS.
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8. Does MS change over time?
Most people are diagnosed with the relapsing-remitting
form of MS. Over time, some people in this category develop
secondary-progressive MS while others may have mild attacks
but do not worsen. They are considered to have benign MS.
See
Types of MS
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9. Are there treatments for MS?
Since 1995, four medications have been approved
by Health Canada for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS.
One is approved for secondary-progressive MS, and one is approved
for people at high risk of developing MS. The treatments have
been shown in clinical trials to actually modify the course
of the disease. They decrease the frequency and severity of
MS attacks, reduce the number of MS lesions in the brain and
several have been shown to slow the progression of disability.
Treatment early in the disease is recommended because of recent
studies showing the presence of early axonal damage. Also important
are therapies which are available to help MS symptoms such
as spasticity, bladder problems, pain and fatigue.
For more information visit the Treatments
section and MS symptoms
and how to manage them.
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10. Is MS contagious?
No, MS is not contagious, nor is it directly
inherited although research studies now underway are suggesting
that genetic factors make certain people more susceptible to
developing MS.
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11. Is there hope for a cure?
Absolutely. Researchers are learning more
about what causes MS everyday and zeroing in on ways to prevent
it. Research funded by the MS Society of Canada funded and
its related MS Scientific Research Foundation is targeting
these areas:
- Repair damaged myelin and nerve fibres
— Since the central problem in MS is the destruction
of myelin, a crucial focus is to find a way to stop the damage
and stimulate myelin regrowth Another important research
area is the repair injured nerve fibres.
- Immune system — The immune system
attacks the body’s myelin so it is vital to understand
what triggers that attack and to find ways to block it. The
current MS therapies have been developed from immune system
research efforts.
- Virus research — Some investigators
think that a number of common viruses may trigger MS attacks.
Work is underway to identify them.
- Genetics — Significant progress
is being made in understanding how genes may contribute to
the development of MS. The world’s largest study of
genetic susceptibility is taking place in Canada.
- MRI studies — Since the 1980s,
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to allow investigators
to see into the living brain and to detect MS lesions. MRI
allows for faster diagnosis of MS and, equally important,
faster evaluation of potentially useful MS therapies. Canadian
scientists are leaders in this field.
- Health research - This program funds
research that seeks to find the overall determinants of health
and that helps people with MS to better cope with the disease.
Areas funded include: epidemiology, health economics and
psycho-social and behavioural issues.
For more information on MS research visit
the Research section.
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12. What other role does the MS
Society of Canada have?
Besides funding MS research, the MS Society
provides services for people who have MS, family members, caregivers
and health care professionals. These services are delivered
through the network of divisions and chapters across Canada.
Client Services volunteers and staff assist
individuals and their families by providing information and
referral, education, support, individual advocacy and funding.
Within these major activities, volunteers and staff provide
the following services:
- MS Society publications
- National Information Resource Centre
- Lending libraries
- Conferences and workshops
- Equipment purchase and loan
- Special assistance
- Individual advocacy
- Support counselling
- Referral to community resources
- Support and self-help groups
- Recreation and social programs
Services offered vary depending upon existing
provincial and community programs and financial resources available
in the division and chapters. The MS Society does not duplicate
services available through other sources.
For more information on programs for people
affected by MS, please visit our Support & Services section
or contact the MS Society
office near you at In Your Community.
For more information on the MS Society of
Canada and our activities, visit About
Us.
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13. What does the MS Society do
in government relations and social action?
The MS Society also works with people who
have MS to ensure they have the opportunity to participate
fully in all aspects of life. The MS Society works to change
government policies at all levels, private industry practices
and public attitudes in positive ways. Current issues include
access to CPP disability benefits and the disability tax credit;
improving provincial drug plans; and overall barrier-free design
and access to allow people with disabilities to participate
easily in their communities.
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