Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that causes damage to your brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It’s characterized by lesions, or areas of tissue damage that occur when your immune system behaves abnormally and attacks these areas.
Is MS classed as a brain injury?
While brain injuries are categorized as acquired, MS is defined as a disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. What really happens is the protective coatings around the nerves that make up the brain and spinal cord deteriorate.
What part of the brain is damaged in MS?
MS produces damage in the more heavily myelinated regions of the brain, known as white matter. MS has also been shown to affect the less myelinated regions closer to the surface of the brain, known as cortical gray matter. Damage to both white matter and gray matter structures are linked to cognitive impairment.
Is MS classed as a serious illness?
It’s a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild. In many cases, it’s possible to treat symptoms. Average life expectancy is slightly reduced for people with MS.
What does multiple sclerosis do to the brain?
MS occurs when the immune system attacks nerve fibers and myelin sheathing (a fatty substance which surrounds/insulates healthy nerve fibers) in the brain and spinal cord. This attack causes inflammation, which destroys nerve cell processes and myelin – altering electrical messages in the brain.
Is MS classed as a brain injury?
While brain injuries are categorized as acquired, MS is defined as a disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. What really happens is the protective coatings around the nerves that make up the brain and spinal cord deteriorate.
What does multiple sclerosis do to the brain?
MS occurs when the immune system attacks nerve fibers and myelin sheathing (a fatty substance which surrounds/insulates healthy nerve fibers) in the brain and spinal cord. This attack causes inflammation, which destroys nerve cell processes and myelin – altering electrical messages in the brain.
What qualifies as brain damage?
Brain Damage: Traumatic Brain Injury Causes. A brain injury is any injury to the brain that affects a person physically, emotionally or behaviorally. Brain injuries can happen at birth or may arise later from trauma or an illness. Depending on the cause, a brain injury is called either traumatic or non-traumatic.
Are you considered disabled if you have MS?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes MS as a chronic illness or “impairment” that can cause disability severe enough to prevent an individual from working.
Can MS destroy your memory?
Memory loss is one of the most common cognitive changes in people with MS. Brain lesions can also affect other cognitive functions, such as attention, concentration, and ability to process information.
Does MS affect the memory?
How common are memory and thinking problems with MS? Somewhere between 4 and 7 in every 10 people with MS will experience some kind of changes in memory or thinking. Mostly, these changes are mild to moderate rather than severe. And not everyone with MS will experience cognitive difficulties.
How fast can MS progress?
Most symptoms develop abruptly, within hours or days. These attacks or relapses of MS typically reach their peak within a few days at most and then resolve slowly over the next several days or weeks so that a typical relapse will be symptomatic for about eight weeks from onset to recovery.
What is the average lifespan of someone with MS?
Average life span of 25 to 35 years after the diagnosis of MS is made are often stated. Some of the most common causes of death in MS patients are secondary complications resulting from immobility, chronic urinary tract infections, compromised swallowing and breathing.
Will I get PIP with MS?
Many people with MS can claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP). It’s a benefit that can help cover the extra costs you may face if you need help doing everyday tasks or find it difficult to get around your home.
Can MS change your personality?
While many with MS will experience depression or anxiety at some point, more rarely, some people experience changes to their emotions or behaviour that don’t seem to make sense, or that they aren’t able to control.
What is the main cause of multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking the brain and nerves. It’s not clear why this happens but it may be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
What disease category is MS?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be an autoimmune, inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system and peripheral nerves.
Is MS considered a spinal cord injury?
MS causes the immune system to attack the myelin sheath that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Over time, inflammation can cause damage and scarring. Doctors refer to damaged areas on the spine or brain as lesions or MS lesions.
Is MS classed as a brain injury?
While brain injuries are categorized as acquired, MS is defined as a disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. What really happens is the protective coatings around the nerves that make up the brain and spinal cord deteriorate.
Is MS classed as a serious illness?
It’s a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild. In many cases, it’s possible to treat symptoms. Average life expectancy is slightly reduced for people with MS.
What does multiple sclerosis do to the brain?
MS occurs when the immune system attacks nerve fibers and myelin sheathing (a fatty substance which surrounds/insulates healthy nerve fibers) in the brain and spinal cord. This attack causes inflammation, which destroys nerve cell processes and myelin – altering electrical messages in the brain.
How can you prove you have brain damage?
A medical exam is the first step to diagnose a potential brain injury. Assessment usually includes a neurological exam. This exam evaluates thinking, motor function (movement), sensory function, coordination, eye movement, and reflexes. Imaging tests, including CT scans and MRI scans, cannot detect all TBIs.
