{"id":8275,"date":"2014-10-13T17:04:35","date_gmt":"2014-10-13T14:04:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imss.ems-studio.com\/?page_id=8275"},"modified":"2014-11-06T11:13:59","modified_gmt":"2014-11-06T09:13:59","slug":"what-is-multiple-sclerosis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mssociety.org.il\/en\/what-is-multiple-sclerosis\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Multiple Sclerosis"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is Multiple Sclerosis?
\n?<\/strong>\u05d8\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05e0\u05e4\u05d5\u05e6\u05d4 \u05de\u05d4\u05d9\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system affecting the brain\u2019s ability to send and receive messages.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s called \u201cMultiple\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Because it damages more than one area of the brain and\/or the spinal cord<\/p>\n

It\u2019s called \u201cSclerosis\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Because MS \u2013 as Multiple Sclerosis is commonly known \u2013 causes hardening of the tissue (the tissue becomes sclerotic)
\n\u2013 causes damage to myelin, the protective coating around nerve fibers]\n

 <\/p>\n

Why do we need to learn about Multiple Sclerosis?
\n?\u05de\u05d3\u05d5\u05e2 \u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05da \u05dc\u05dc\u05de\u05d5\u05d3 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d8\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05e0\u05e4\u05d5\u05e6\u05d4\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Because Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common disease of the central nervous system.
\nAbout 3 million people around the world and about 5,000 people in Israel suffer from MS.
\nNo MS cure has been found yet.<\/p>\n

Multiple Sclerosis typically affects:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Young adults<\/strong><\/p>\n

In most cases MS affects people aged 15 to 45.<\/p>\n

As a result of powerful diagnostic methods today, children as young as 8-years old are being diagnosed with MS.<\/p>\n

MS affects the whole family<\/strong><\/p>\n

The disease may have a strong impact on those closest to the person who has MS.<\/p>\n

They may be required to share the financial burden, and take on other duties at home, while also helping the person who has MS cope with the disease emotionally.<\/p>\n

The information in this brochure on how to cope with and treat the disease are not a substitute for a professional conversation between the patient and their physician.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How does Multiple Sclerosis affect the central nervous system?
\n?\u05db\u05d9\u05e6\u05d3 \u05e4\u05d5\u05d2\u05e2\u05ea \u05d4\u05d8\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05d4\u05e0\u05e4\u05d5\u05e6\u05d4 \u05d1\u05de\u05e2\u05e8\u05db\u05ea \u05d4\u05e2\u05e6\u05d1\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05de\u05e8\u05db\u05d6\u05d9\u05ea\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The brain functions like a telephone exchange<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most healthy nerves are insulated by myelin<\/strong>
\nMyelin is a fatty substance that helps messages smoothly flow without interruption along nerve fibers, known as neural pathways.
\nIn MS, the myelin breaks down and is replaced by scar tissue.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scar tissue may distort messages or even block them.
\nControl over the body\u2019s movement is impaired because the messages don\u2019t reach their destination correctly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It sends electrical messages along nerve fibers to every part of the body.
\nThese messages control all our voluntary and involuntary movement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The cause of Multiple Sclerosis remains a mystery
\nBut there are cases of MS in which the following occurs:
\n\u05d4\u05d2\u05d5\u05e8\u05dd \u05dc\u05d8\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05e0\u05e4\u05d5\u05e6\u05d4 \u05e0\u05d5\u05ea\u05e8 \u05e2\u05d3\u05d9\u05d9\u05df \u05d1\u05d2\u05d3\u05e8 \u05ea\u05e2\u05dc\u05d5\u05de\u05d4<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Immune Response<\/strong><\/p>\n

The body\u2019s immune system defends the body against invaders such as viruses and bacteria.
\nIn people who have MS, this immune system may start attacking the body\u2019s own cells – in this case the myelin sheath cells.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not clear what triggers an immune response of this type.<\/p>\n

An attack of viruses or bacteria<\/strong><\/p>\n

The cause of MS might be exposure to a common virus or bacteria.<\/p>\n

There are cases of MS where two of the following exist:<\/strong>
\nAn attack by a virus or bacteria triggers an immune system response.<\/p>\n

A virus or bacteria takes over control of cells.<\/p>\n

The body\u2019s defense system makes a mistake and attacks both the attacker and the body\u2019s own cells.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Some myths about Multiple Sclerosis
\n\u05db\u05de\u05d4 \u05de\u05d9\u05ea\u05d5\u05e1\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05dc \u05d8\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05e0\u05e4\u05d5\u05e6\u05d4<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Myth: <\/strong>Multiple Sclerosis causes death.<\/p>\n

Fact:<\/strong> The life expectancy of most people with MS is normal or nearly normal.<\/p>\n

Myth: <\/strong>MS eventually ends in paralysis.<\/p>\n

Fact:<\/strong> Most MS sufferers are able to move about on their own. However, some will need a walking stick, crutches, a wheelchair, or other type of mobility aid.<\/p>\n

Myth:<\/strong> MS is a contagious disease.<\/p>\n

Fact:<\/strong> There is no evidence that an MS sufferer can transmit the disease to another person through random or sexual touch.<\/p>\n

Myth:<\/strong> There is no way of helping a person suffering from MS.<\/p>\n

Fact:<\/strong> There are now drug treatments that slow down the MS process in some sufferers.
\nThere are also medications that help alleviate many of the symptoms of the disease.
\nA change in diet can help improve how people feel.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Multiple Sclerosis symptoms differ from person to person <\/strong>and from time to time in the same person
\n\u05ea\u05e1\u05de\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d4\u05d8\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05d4\u05e0\u05e4\u05d5\u05e6\u05d4 \u05e9\u05d5\u05e0\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05d0\u05d3\u05dd \u05dc\u05d0\u05d3\u05dd<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Symptoms may be light or severe<\/strong><\/p>\n

They may include:<\/p>\n