Multiple Sclerosis
What can be done to prevent the disease?
There is no known prevention for multiple sclerosis.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Over the long term, the level of disability increases. People with the
relapsing-remitting form of MS may notice sudden changes in
function. People who have chronic, progressive MS will have a
gradual loss of function.
A recent study showed that irreversible disability occurred earlier in
individuals who had chronic, progressive MS from the onset. People
with the relapsing-remitting form went longer before having
irreversible disabilities. Once the irreversible disabilities started,
however, these progressed at the same rate in both groups. MS eventually causes
irreversible disabilities. It cannot be
cured and never goes away.
Death in people with MS is generally related to complications of
their disabilities. Common causes include:
bedsores that become infected
pneumonia
pulmonary embolus, or
a blood clot that blocks the blood supply to the lungs
suicide
What are the risks to others?
Multiple sclerosis is not contagious and poses no risk to others. However, it
does tend to run in families.
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