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Multiple Sclerosis: Learning about MS
More than 1.1 million people worldwide have Multiple Sclerosis. In the United States alone there are nearly 350,000 cases. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that compromises the functions of the brain and the spinal cord but is not life threatening. With no known cause or cure, the focus of treatment is on symptom management. Symptoms range from mild to severe, from inconvenient to disabling. MS often starts with an abrupt onset of neurological problems such as numbness or tingling, weakness, or unsteady gait. . As the disease progresses, other symptoms may include spasticity, imbalance, tremors, vision problems, incontinence, constipation, sexual dysfunction, hearing loss, vertigo and memory loss.
The onset of symptoms typically occurs between the ages of 15 to 40. Women are affected twice as often as men. And Caucasians are affected most often, with rare instances among those of Asians or African decent. A family history of the disease is considered to be another significant risk factor.
In an episode of The Cutting Edge Medical Report entitled LEARNING ABOUT MS, the late Lawrence Jacobs, M.D., Chief of the Baird Multiple Sclerosis Center at Millard Fillmore Hospital and Head of the Department of Neurology at Buffalo General Hospital, unveils the key to making the most of life with MS and discusses the best treatment options for symptom management.
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