MS ::: Medical Mystery

Multiple Sclerosis aka "MS" is a disease that is mysterious to many people. You should not fear MS, but get it know more about what doctors and scientists believe it is. MS affects the central nervous system (communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted), and it can manifest itself appearing as anything from basically benign to disabling all the way to devastating.

There is no known cure for the disease. Each MS treatment program is customized for the individual patient, and some patients require little therapy or treatment. Most people experience their first symptoms of MS between the ages of 20 and 40; the initial symptom of MS is often blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, or even blindness in one eye.

Several doctors advocate a special Multiple Sclerosis Diet to help assist patients manage the disease. Paradoxically, although there is no diet that will treat or cure every single case of multiple sclerosis, researchers agree there may be some connections between MS and diet.

In 2001, the National Academies/Institute of Medicine, a Federal technical and scientific advisory agency, prepared a strategic review of MS research. To read or download the National Academies/Institute of Medicine report, google "Multiple Sclerosis: Current Status and Strategies for the Future."


The red-shaded areas of the map above represent the highest number of cases of MS (North America and Western Europe)