What are some interesting facts about multiple sclerosis?

8 facts about MS
  • MS is a condition that affects your brain and spinal cord (your central nervous system)
  • MS is a life long condition but people don't usually die from it.
  • More than 130,000 people in the UK have MS.
  • MS is the most common central nervous system condition that affects young adults.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mssociety.org.uk

What makes MS unique?

1) MS can affect the body and mind in many ways, none of which are predictable or consistent from person to person. The reason your symptoms are unique can be found in the way MS attacks the central nervous system. Thousands of nerve pathways run through the brain and spinal cord, the two components of the CNS.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on msfocusmagazine.org

Can people with MS get tattoos?

Note: Tattoos are considered safe for those with MS. If you have any concerns, check with your doctor. You should take the same precautions you would if you didn't have MS. Make sure that the place you get one is reputable and clean, with sterile equipment.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on multiplesclerosis.net

Can MS be passed on?

your genes – MS isn't directly inherited, but people who are related to someone with the condition are more likely to develop it; the chance of a sibling or child of someone with MS also developing it is estimated to be around 2 to 3 in 100.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

Can a 16 year old get a tattoo in MS?

A: Due to the state law in MS, there is no parental consent to tattoos or piercings if you are under the age of 18. The ONLY exception is the piercing of the outer ear.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on jackanddianes.com

7 Facts You Need to Know About Multiple Sclerosis

35 related questions found

Is MS a disability Australia?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) appears in the NDIS List B disabilities. These are permanent conditions where the functioning capabilities of the person diagnosed are variable.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on careabout.com.au

What is the rarest MS?

Overview. Tumefactive multiple sclerosis is a rare form of multiple sclerosis (MS) with symptoms similar to those of a brain tumor. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, the condition appears as tumor-like lesions larger than two centimeters.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cedars-sinai.org

How common is MS in Australia?

The prevalence of MS in Australia has increased from 103.7 per 100,000 people in 2017 to 131.1 per 100,000 people in 2021. This increase in prevalence is most likely due to changes in exposure to known MS risk factors.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on msaustralia.org.au

What gender is more likely to get MS?

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, four times as many women have MS as men, and more and more women are developing it.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hopkinsmedicine.org

What percentage of MS is hereditary?

But genes are only part of the story. MS can happen more than once in a family, but it's much more likely this will not happen. There's only about a 1.5% chance of a child developing MS when their mother or father has it (that means around one in 67 get it).

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mssociety.org.uk

Is MS caused by stress?

Can stress cause MS? Some people with MS feel that they developed MS as a direct result of some stressful event or trauma. The evidence on this connection is mixed. Some studies do see an effect whilst others don't.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mstrust.org.uk

Will I end up in a wheelchair with MS?

In fact, the majority of people with MS will not become severely disabled. Many people with MS choose to use wheelchairs or scooters from time to time or to do certain things, perhaps because of symptoms like fatigue or weakness, or to conserve energy. People often find this gives them more freedom rather than less.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mssociety.org.uk

What mental problems does MS cause?

MS can cause significant anxiety, distress, anger, and frustration from the moment of its very first symptoms. The uncertainty and unpredictability associated with MS is one of its most distressing aspects. In fact, anxiety is at least as common in MS as depression.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nationalmssociety.org

What aggravates MS?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) triggers that worsen symptoms or cause a relapse can include stress, heart disease and smoking. While some are easier to avoid than others, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and overall health and wellness can have outsized benefits for MS patients.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nortonhealthcare.com

Does MS make your hair thin?

Hair loss is not a symptom of MS, but can be a side effect of various MS treatments, particularly immunosuppressive agents, and other medications such as antidepressants. An MS diagnosis also could be a contributing factor to stress-related hair loss.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on overcomingms.org

Is coffee bad for multiple sclerosis?

In conclusion, it appears that drinking a moderate amount of caffeine shouldn't have any ill-effect on people with MS.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on overcomingms.org

Does MS affect 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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mssociety.org.uk

Why are so many people getting MS?

Although more people are being diagnosed with MS today than in the past, the reasons for this are not clear. Likely contributors include greater awareness of the disease, better access to medical care and improved diagnostic capabilities. There is no definitive evidence that the rate of MS is generally on the increase.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nationalmssociety.org

How rare is multiple sclerosis?

The risk for MS in the general population is about 0.5%.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

Can two sisters have MS?

Statistically, if you have a sibling with MS, your risk of developing the disease is around 1 in 20.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ms-society.ie

What does MS feel like in feet?

Erythromelalgia is a painful MS symptom that affects the feet. The feet may feel tight or swollen and have a burning sensation. Some remedies for hot feet include: wearing pressure socks.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com

What age does MS show up?

MS can appear at any age but most commonly manifests between the ages of 20 and 40. It affects women two to three times as often as men. Almost one million people in the United States have MS, making it one of the most common causes of neurological disability among young adults in North America.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pennmedicine.org