WHO is affected by MS? Men, women, adults, children...though it is more prevalent in white women and individuals directly related to someone with MS have a somewhat higher chance of developing it themselves. Of course it's not just the individual diagnosed who can be affected. Spouses, children, siblings, parents, friends, and so on are affected when their loved one has MS.

WHAT is MS? It is believed to be an immune disorder in which the immune system attacks the nervous system, specifically the cells which maintain the myelin sheaths. Myelin sheaths protect part of our neurons. As the myelin sheaths thin and vanish the neurons lose the ability to send signals. Which means that nearly any motor or sensory function can be affected. Currently it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and immunilogical factors.

WHEN do people discover they have MS? Most people receive a diagnosis as young adults.

WHERE is MS a problem? People all over the world have MS. But it is most prevalent in the UK (especially Scotland), Sweden, Ireland, Denmark, Iceland and Canada.

HOW can it be cured? Nobody knows...yet. This is one of the problems the MS Society is working to solve. You can help.

Thus concludes my series of MS Monday posts. I hope you now better understand multiple sclerosis and the effect it has on people's lives. It is my hope that a definitive cause and a cure will be found in our lifetime.