the doctors say i might have?

Question

multiple sclerosis, they say im showing signs of having it and my parents say that they are sure i have it. but nobody will tell me what it is, they just tell me that they want to make sure i have it before they get to worked up over it, but i would like to know what it is. im almost 16 so its not like im a young child. can any body tell me what multiple sclerosis is please? i would be ever so greatful!? thanks so much for any answers in advance.

Answer 1

I was 20 years old when I was diagnosed with MS. Not much older than you are. Bubblytoes1 and Crowfeathers gave you accurate information. Think of your spinal column as a giant wire. The outside of the wire is a protective covering (myelin sheath) for the wire filaments inside (your nerves), which of course carry all the electrical activity. When something cuts away the protective covering, which in the case of MS is your own immune system, it leaves the filaments exposed which causes shorting out. Now, our bodies have the ability to make scar tissue to cover up the shorted out spots, called sclerosis. Thus the name Multiple Sclerosis, many scars.

When I was diagnosed, I was numb on the right side of my face and all down the left side of my body. In fact, it felt like someone had taken an ACE bandage and wrapped it around my ribs and was tightening it. After I recovered from that a few weeks later, when I was getting married, I was numb from the waist down. I've had dizziness, I've collapsed because I would suddenly lose all muscle strength and it would take me hours to recover, I get headaches, there was a period when I could barely walk 100 feet without stopping to rest.

Now I know this sounds intimidating. But I am going to tell you the good news about my story. I am a strong believer in good nutrition. I know you are 16 and your eating habits are probably not the best. But please read this with an open mind. 18 months ago, I started taking "Udo's 3-6-9 blend" oil. (Look up Udo Erasmus online) It has essential fatty acids that people with MS don't get enough of. Since I've been on the oil and on GOOD QUALITY vitamins, I have had NO problems. Focus on good nutrition - low saturated fat, whole grain diet. IT WILL HELP. You are young and you can slow or stop the disease. If it's not MS, the oil and nutrition will still help whatever is afflicting you. Be strong, YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS.

If you want to hear more of my story or want more information about the oil, send me an email. If you just need a friend to listen and guide you through the next few steps of diagnosis, send me an email. I've been through it. Good luck

Answer 2

Multiple Sclerosis (abbreviated MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). MS can cause a variety of symptoms, including changes in sensation, visual problems, muscle weakness, depression, difficulties with coordination and speech, severe fatigue, cognitive impairment, problems with balance, overheating, and pain. MS will cause impaired mobility and disability in more severe cases.

Multiple sclerosis affects neurons, the cells of the brain and spinal cord that carry information, create thought and perception, and allow the brain to control the body. Surrounding and protecting some of these neurons is a fatty layer known as the myelin sheath, which helps neurons carry electrical signals. MS causes gradual destruction of myelin (demyelination) and transection of neuron axons in patches throughout the brain and spinal cord. The name multiple sclerosis refers to the multiple scars (or scleroses) on the myelin sheaths. This scarring causes symptoms which vary widely depending upon which signals are interrupted.

The predominant theory today is that MS results from attacks by an individual's immune system on the nervous system and it is therefore usually categorized as an autoimmune disease. There is a minority view that MS is not an autoimmune disease, but rather a metabolically dependent neurodegenerative disease. Although much is known about how MS causes damage, its exact cause remains unknown.

Multiple sclerosis may take several different forms, with new symptoms occurring either in discrete attacks or slowly accruing over time. Between attacks, symptoms may resolve completely, but permanent neurologic problems often persist, especially as the disease advances. MS currently does not have a cure, though several treatments are available that may slow the appearance of new symptoms.

MS primarily affects adults, with an age of onset typically between 20 and 40 years, and is more common in women than in men

Answer 3

MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. The CNS consists of the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. Surrounding and protecting the nerve fibers of the CNS is a fatty tissue called myelin, which helps nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses. In MS, myelin is lost in multiple areas, leaving scar tissue called sclerosis. These damaged areas are also known as plaques or lesions. Sometimes the nerve fiber itself is damaged or broken. Myelin not only protects nerve fibers, but makes their job possible. When myelin or the nerve fiber is destroyed or damaged, the ability of the nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain is disrupted, and this produces the various symptoms of MS.

Answer 4

Multiple Sclerosis (abbreviated MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). MS can cause a variety of symptoms, including changes in sensation, visual problems, muscle weakness, depression, difficulties with coordination and speech, severe fatigue, cognitive impairment, problems with balance, overheating, and pain. MS will cause impaired mobility and disability in more severe cases.

Answer 5

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/multiple_sclerosis.htm

I think that awful for your parents to assume it is without having all the tests done yet and getting a second opinion. Just read up on it. I have known people to have the milder forms of it. It usually shows up beginning at age 20, but can show up sooner or later than that. I hope all turns out well for you. try not to borrow too much trouble. Get all the test results before you go and research too much.

Answer 6

First some facts about Multiple sclerosis:

MS is a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system.

MS is not contagious and is not directly inherited.

Most people with MS have a normal or near-normal life expectancy.

The majority of people with MS do not become severely disabled.

There are now FDA-approved medications that have been shown to "modify" or slow down the underlying course of MS.


What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. Surrounding and protecting the nerve fibers of the CNS is a fatty tissue called myelin, which helps nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses.

In MS, myelin is lost in multiple areas, leaving scar tissue called sclerosis. These damaged areas are also known as plaques or lesions. Sometimes the nerve fiber itself is damaged or broken.

Myelin not only protects nerve fibers, but makes their job possible. When myelin or the nerve fiber is destroyed or damaged, the ability of the nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain is disrupted, and this produces the various symptoms of MS.


People with MS can expect one of four clinical courses of disease, each of which might be mild, moderate, or severe.

Relapsing-Remitting
Characteristics: People with this type of MS experience clearly defined flare-ups (also called relapses, attacks, or exacerbations). These are episodes of acute worsening of neurologic function. They are followed by partial or complete recovery periods (remissions) free of disease progression.
Frequency: Most common form of MS at time of initial diagnosis. Approximately 85%.

Primary-Progressive
Characteristics: People with this type of MS experience a slow but nearly continuous worsening of their disease from the onset, with no distinct relapses or remissions. However, there are variations in rates of progression over time, occasional plateaus, and temporary minor improvements.
Frequency: Relatively rare. Approximately 10%.

Secondary-Progressive
Characteristics: People with this type of MS experience an initial period of relapsing-remitting MS, followed by a steadily worsening disease course with or without occasional flare-ups, minor recoveries (remissions), or plateaus.
Frequency: 50% of people with relapsing-remitting MS developed this form of the disease within 10 years of their initial diagnosis, before introduction of the "disease-modifying" drugs. Long-term data are not yet available to demonstrate if this is significantly delayed by treatment.

Progressive-Relapsing
Characteristics: People with this type of MS experience a steadily worsening disease from the onset but also have clear acute relapses (attacks or exacerbations), with or without recovery. In contrast to relapsing-remitting MS, the periods between relapses are characterized by continuing disease progression.
Frequency: Relatively rare. Approximately 5%.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HOM_ABOUT_what_is_ms

Answer 7

I'd google it if you want answers. Your parents don't want to scare you before they know for sure. But in easy words it is a disease that affects your muscles. They just arent healthy and dont work right all the time. It tends to get worse over time.Talk to your parents and tell them you want them to be honest with you.

Answer 8

It is a disease that affects the Central Nervous System. Read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_sclerosis

Answer 9

i am pretty sure it is the brain begins to stop working. Small things such as brain not sending right signal and ending in the person being on a wheelchair due to no being able to walk. (i think so) try googling it

Answer 10

I feel for u. My mom rides in a bike ride that helps to try and find a cure. but MS is an autoimmune disease that attacks the neurons in the nervous system. like cancer but different. hope its not MS.