Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEffects on the BodySymptomsTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Effects on the Body
Symptoms
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiple sclerosis (MS)is a medical condition in which theimmune systemattacks the protective myelin covering of nerves within the brain and spinal cord.There is no single, exact way MS affects the body because everyone experiences the disease differently. Some people may have trouble seeing clearly, while others experience arm and leg muscle weakness or a combination of symptoms.
Learn about MS, how it affects the body, treatment options, and more.
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The Effects of MS on the Body’s Systems
Multiple sclerosis results when the immune system attacks the myelin, and the nerves become damaged.When the nerves are damaged, they can no longer effectively communicate with the brain, leading to challenges that impact different body systems.
The most commonMS symptomsaffect:
Nervous System
Thenervous systemincludes thebrain,spinal cord, andnerves, and is responsible for communication between the body and the brain.
Some examples of how MS affects the nervous system are:
Musculoskeletal System
Themusculoskeletal systemincludes the bones, muscles, and the tissues that connect them such as tendons and ligaments.
MS can damage nerves that work with the musculoskeletal system, leading to musculoskeletal symptoms, including:
Immune System
Theimmune systemincludes organs, cells, and proteins such aswhite blood cells,bone marrow, andlymph nodes.
MS is anautoimmune disease, meaning the immune system works improperly and attacks healthy cells. One of the treatments for MS suppresses the immune system to disrupt this damaging process.A side effect of this treatment is that the immune system is weakened and is less effective at protecting the body from illness.
Digestive System
Thedigestive systemincludes theliver,pancreas, gallbladder, and organs that make up the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract, including the stomach andintestines.
MS can affect the digestive system and cause challenges, such as:
Reproductive System
Thereproductivesystem includes organs needed to make babies.
Thefemale reproductive systemincludes:
The male reproductive system includes:
Circulatory System
Thecirculatory systemincludes the heart, blood vessels, and blood. The lymphatic system is sometimes considered part of the circulatory system and includesbone marrow,white blood cells,lymph nodes, and organs such as thethymus gland.
The link between multiple sclerosis and the circulatory system is not fully understood. However, people with MS are at an increased risk of some circulatory conditions, including:
MS Symptoms
MS is anautoimmune diseaseaffecting the nervous system, meaning symptoms can impact the entire body. They are unpredictable, can change over time, and differ for everyone.
Most Common MS SymptomsSome of the most common MS symptoms include:Bladder problems(e.g., unable to control)Brain function difficultiesDepressionDysesthesia(squeezing sensation)FatiguePainSensations (e.g., numbness, tingling)Spasticity(very tight, stiff muscles)Vision changesWalking (gait) challenges
Most Common MS Symptoms
Some of the most common MS symptoms include:Bladder problems(e.g., unable to control)Brain function difficultiesDepressionDysesthesia(squeezing sensation)FatiguePainSensations (e.g., numbness, tingling)Spasticity(very tight, stiff muscles)Vision changesWalking (gait) challenges
Some of the most common MS symptoms include:
Early, Common, and Rare MS Symptoms
MS Treatment
Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong condition.Medicationsand treatment options are available to manage the disease, prevent it from progressing, and relieve symptoms.
Treatment options differ depending on the person, their symptoms, and how active the disease is at the time. MS can shift betweenactive phaseswith increased symptoms called flare-ups and less active or inactive phases with decreased or no symptoms called remission.
Treatment options for multiple sclerosis include:
In addition to medications for MS, behavior and lifestyle changes may improve symptoms. People with MS who do not smoke or who quit smoking, exercise regularly, andeat healthy foodstend to experience fewer flare-ups and less severe symptoms and may live longer.
How Multiple Sclerosis Is Treated
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a serious, lifelong medical condition when the immune system attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, inhibiting proper communication between the body and the brain. Because of this, people with MS can experience various symptoms. Fortunately, symptoms are treatable with medications and lifestyle changes, and people with MS can live long, happy lives.
A Word From Verywell
Living with multiple sclerosis can be challenging. You may experience both physical and psychological symptoms, as well as social and lifestyle challenges. However, this condition is treatable. Reach out to a healthcare provider for support.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMS can cause muscles to become stiff and difficult to move. People with MS may also feel pain or other sensations like numbness or tingling in the legs, or have difficulty walking or standing.Some of the most common symptoms of MS include bladder problems, fatigue, pain, challenges with brain function, depression, and vision changes. However, everyone experiences MS differently, and with different combinations of symptoms.MS can cause pain in the back, hips, and other body parts. It can feel like joint pain or tight, painful muscles. However, people can experience MS pain differently.
MS can cause muscles to become stiff and difficult to move. People with MS may also feel pain or other sensations like numbness or tingling in the legs, or have difficulty walking or standing.
Some of the most common symptoms of MS include bladder problems, fatigue, pain, challenges with brain function, depression, and vision changes. However, everyone experiences MS differently, and with different combinations of symptoms.
MS can cause pain in the back, hips, and other body parts. It can feel like joint pain or tight, painful muscles. However, people can experience MS pain differently.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Multiple sclerosis (MS).Cedars Siani.Multiple sclerosis (MS).Harvard Medical School.Myelin.Encyclopedia Britannica.Human nervous system.National Health Service.Multiple sclerosis symptoms.Kerkman JN, Daffertshofer A, Gollo LL, Breakspear M, Boonstra TW.Network structure of the human musculoskeletal system shapes neural interactions on multiple time scales.Sci Adv. 2018;4(6):eaat0497. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aat0497Johns Hopkins Medicine.The immune system.Rafiee Zadeh A, Ghadimi K, Ataei A, et al.Mechanism and adverse effects of multiple sclerosis drugs: a review article. Part 2.Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol. 2019;11(4):105-114.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Your digestive system and how it works.University of Pittsburgh.Stomach and intestinal issues.National Cancer Institute.Reproductive system.Guo ZN, He SY, Zhang HL, Wu J, Yang Y.Multiple sclerosis and sexual dysfunction.Asian J Androl. 2012;14(4):530-535. doi:10.1038/aja.2011.110National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Reproductive health.National Cancer Institute.Circulatory system.National Cancer Institute.Lymphatic system.Mincu RI, Magda LS, Florescu M, et al.Cardiovascular dysfunction in multiple sclerosis.Maedica (Bucur). 2015;10(4):364-370.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS signs and symptoms.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Treating multiple sclerosis (MS).National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Diet, exercise, and healthy behaviors.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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