National MS Awareness Month: What to Know

March is National MS – Multiple Sclerosis – Education and Awareness month. MS is a disease that impacts the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The exact cause is unknown, but we do know that something triggers the immune system to attack the central nervous system. Symptoms are variable and unpredictable, but often include fatigue, numbness, vertigo, vision problems and bladder problems. Because symptoms are related to many other diseases, MS requires you to see a Neurologist and testing for diagnosis.

To many, MS used to seem uncommon. Today, many of us know someone with MS and it seems like more people have it than before. This is largely because MS is being diagnosed earlier and more comprehensively – a good thing because it’s a disease that can generally be managed once it’s identified.

To learn more about MS so that you understand what someone you know is experiencing, or because you want to learn more about this disease, visit https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS.

Catherine Hamilton