Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, sometimes progressive disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness of the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 70 -- 73 percent of those with MS are women. The unpredictable physical and emotional effects can be lifelong. 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.

Symptoms of MS vary greatly from one person to another depending on the part of the nervous system affected, but may include:

• Eye problems such as double vision or uncontrolled eye movements
• Partial or complete paralysis of any part of the body
• Shaky hands
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Staggering or loss of balance
• Speech problems such as slurring
• Extreme weakness or unusual feelings of tiredness
• Loss of coordination

Although the cause of MS is unknown, scientists suspect it is the result of an auto-immune reaction in which the body attacks its own tissues, a slow-acting virus or some combination of the two. They do know MS is not contagious or hereditary, although genetic factors seem to make some individuals more susceptible to the disease.

An estimated 300,000 people in the United States have MS. It affects more Americans than muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis and hemophilia combined.

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