You probably know your nerves carry messages around your body. So if you stub your toe, your nerves deliver the message to your brain that says "Ouch!" Nerves also send signals that tell your muscles what to do when you want to walk and run.

In someone who has multiple sclerosis (MS), there are roadblocks in the pathways so the messages don't get to the brain like they should.

That leads to problems like:

MS is mostly a disease that adults get and is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. It is more common in women than men.

If you know someone who has MS, you probably want to know what the disease will be like for them. The disease does tend to get slowly worse over time, but most people with MS have mild symptoms and live to be as old as people without MS.

Let's talk about what's causing those roadblocks for the signals. If a person has MS, the immune system which usually fights germs attacks nerves in the brain and spinal cord. It damages the layer of tissue, called myelin, which surrounds and protects the nerves.

When myelin becomes damaged, scars develop. The word sclerosis comes from the Greek word for scarring or hardening. And those scars can act like stones in the road, creating a bumpy ride for signals as they travel between the brain and body.

When those signals get slowed down or blocked, people with MS feel one or more symptoms, such as vision problems or feeling unsteady on their feet. The symptoms will vary depending on what nerves are affected.

There are four different categories of MS:

MS is rare in kids. About 5% of cases of MS are diagnosed in children. MS in kids tends to progress more slowly than MS diagnosed in adults.

Nobody knows exactly why a person gets multiple sclerosis. It is not contagious, so you can't catch it from someone who has it. And it's not hereditary. That means the disease is not passed on directly from one generation to the next, like eye color.

But your chances of developing MS are greater if a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, has it. Scientists are still studying why.

When people begin to experience what could be early signs of MS, such as vision or balance problems, doctors will take a careful history and do a complete physical exam. Since there is no one test that can determine if a person has MS, the doctor may order several tests, including blood tests, cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) tests, and brain scans.

A brain MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging test, lets a doctor check for evidence of scars in the brain and spinal cord by taking detailed pictures of these body areas.

Another frequent stop on the way to an MS diagnosis is a series of evoked potentials (EP) tests, which test the time it takes for nerves to respond. If the response time is slow, the chances are greater that there's damage along the nerve pathways.

Currently, there is no known cure for multiple sclerosis, but medicines can help control symptoms. When a flare-up or relapse happens, steroids lessen inflammation and help speed up recovery. Several medicines can be given to reduce the number of relapses and slow down progression of the disease.

People with MS can take steps to manage symptoms, including physical and occupational therapy. Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are also important when it comes to overall health and well-being for people living with MS.

If someone you love has MS, you can be supportive in lots of ways. The person might appreciate some help with stuff like opening doors. If you live with this person, it's great to be quiet when he or she is resting.

As you get older, you might be able to help with other stuff, like getting groceries or doing other stuff around the house. But most of all, the person will like knowing that you're understanding and ready to help.

Reviewed by: Rupal Christine Gupta, MD Date reviewed: January 2015

More here:
Multiple Sclerosis - KidsHealth

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