Multiple Sclerosis is a disorder that affects the central nervous system. The word "sclerosis" means "scar tissue," so multiple sclerosis is multiple scar tissue on the central nervous system. One out of 1600 people is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In the United States, there are approximately 350,000 persons living with multiple sclerosis. Although is is not curable, there are many medications and a lot of research designated to help fight this disorder. Multiple sclerosis affects the central nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. There are many episodes of inflammation of nervous tissues that destroys the coverings of the nerve cells, which slows down or blocks the transmission of nerve impulses.
             The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, but there are plenty of theories. Some researchers think it could be a virus, or an imbalance in the immune system. Others think that it could be environmental. Researchers believe it could be environmental because there are very few, if none, incidences with people who live near the equator. Multiple sclerosis usually strikes women between the ages of 30 and 50 years old. Multiple sclerosis is also uncommon in black and Asiatic populations. The disorder is not fatal, contagious, or directly hereditary. It's not directlyhereditary, but there is a greater chance of the disorder if it is in the family.
             Symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary from person to person. Some symptoms to look for are fatigue, loss of coordination, muscle weakness, numbness, slurred speech, and visual difficulties. Some of the acute symptoms are muscle cramps, bladder or bowel problems, sexual dysfunction, and paralysis. Persons with multiple sclerosis often experience patterns of exacerbation's and remissions. The exacerbation's, or attacks, could put a person with multiple sclerosis in the hosipital. Besides the physical affects, there are also mental affects. As with any d...