There are many common diseases that are frequently discussed, including cancer, cystic fibrosis, and arthritis. But there is one common disease that isn’t talked about often, even though it affects 2.3 million people around the world: multiple sclerosis.

For my family, multiple sclerosis (MS) has been a prevalent topic for a long time, as my grandma has lived with the disease for over 30 years. We are all very passionate about supporting research regarding MS, and I am no exception. I believe that others should be made more aware of this disease, so today I would like to share some facts with you.

So what is multiple sclerosis?

MS is what is known as an autoimmune disorder, which is when the immune system attacks the tissues in the body. In the case of MS, the immune system attacks the nerve cells in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal chord).

A nerve cell consists of the soma, or cell body, from which protrude branch-like dendrites and a long axon. The axon is covered by what is called myelin, which helps the cell to transmit signals. In multiple sclerosis, the myelin becomes degraded, which keeps the signals from traveling down the axon correctly. This leads to many other problems, including lack of muscle control and numbness in places such as the fingers. These symptoms, and others like them, will gradually worsen over time.

It is currently unknown what factors cause the immune system to turn on the body’s tissues, but there are some theories. One theory is that some people have certain genes that predispose them to have a higher risk of developing the disease later on. There is also a slight increase in risk when someone in your family is affected. It is also speculated that the environment and the place you live has a role to play. For instance, there is a higher prevalence of MS in areas that are farther away from the equator. It’s possible that this could be due to more sun exposure, which in turn allows people to make more of their own vitamin D.

There are many scientists out there who have taken this information and done a lot of research in recent years. They have made significant progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done if a cure is to be found.

If you have found any of this information to be interesting or compelling, I would encourage you to visit the website for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. There you can find more in depth information regarding MS, including more facts about the disease and ways that you can help spread awareness and raise money.