It's MS Awareness Month

 

MS stands for Multiple Sclerosis.  Since it's MS Awareness Month, you all are going to get an education about what MS is, and what it can do to the body. 

 

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another.

MS is thought to be an Autoimmune Disease.  The body's own defense system attacks myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers in the central nervous system. The nerve fibers themselves can also be damaged. The damaged myelin forms scar tissue (sclerosis), which gives the disease its name. When any part of the myelin sheath or nerve fiber is damaged or destroyed, nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord are distorted or interrupted, producing the variety of symptoms that can occur.  Most people with MS learn to cope with the disease and continue to lead satisfying, productive lives. (Courtesy of NationalMSSociety.org).

Since MS is different for everyone, drugs and drug combinations have a different effect on each person.  As of now, the causes of MS aren't known and there are a range of symptoms which can be misdiagnosed since there isn't currently an "MS Test". 

My cousin was diagnosed with MS in February of last year.  You can read her story here.  I did the MS Walk last year (Go Mighty Slugs!) raised money to help find a cure.  I plan on volunteering at the walk instead of forming a team this year.