PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary, but very often they include weakness, problems with sensation, lack of coordination and, for many people, problems with bowel and bladder.
The problem is the result of the body attacking a very important part of nerve cells called the myelin sheath. In simplest terms, people with MS have nerves that are not effective at sending signals around the body.
There are certain risk factors, like smoking, and higher rates occur in people who live further from the equator. Women are twice as likely as men to develop MS, and for some reason, infectious mononucleosis is a risk.
For the 1 million Americans who have MS, it is important to get treatment, because there are ways to slow down the progression of the disease.
KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.