Disease or Syndrome
multiple sclerosis
mul·ti·ple scle·ro·sis [ mul-tih-pul skleh-roh-sis ]
Subclass of:
Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS
Also called:
MS
Definitions related to multiple sclerosis:
-
A disorder of the central nervous system marked by weakness, numbness, a loss of muscle coordination, and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control. Multiple sclerosis is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system destroys myelin. Myelin is a substance that contains both protein and fat (lipid), serving as a nerve insulator and helping in the transmission of nerve signals.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
A progressive autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system resulting in demyelination. Patients develop physical and cognitive impairments that correspond with the affected nerve fibers.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
An autoimmune demyelinating disease characterized by a relapsing-remitting or progressive pattern of central nervous system impairment.NICHD Pediatric TerminologyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
An autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the substance that covers nerve fibers.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
-
An autoimmune disorder mainly affecting young adults and characterized by destruction of myelin in the central nervous system. Pathologic findings include multiple sharply demarcated areas of demyelination throughout the white matter of the central nervous system. Clinical manifestations include visual loss, extra-ocular movement disorders, paresthesias, loss of sensation, weakness, dysarthria, spasticity, ataxia, and bladder dysfunction. The usual pattern is one of recurrent attacks followed by partial recovery, but acute fulminating and chronic progressive forms also occur. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p903)NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
Chronic disease characterized by presence of numerous areas of demyelination in the central nervous system with symptoms such as weakness, incoordination, paresthesis, and speech disturbances; the etiology is unknown.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
-
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a nervous system disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. It damages the myelin sheath, the material that surrounds and protects your nerve cells. This damage slows down or blocks messages between your brain and your body, leading to the symptoms of MS. They can include Visual disturbances; Muscle weakness; Trouble with coordination and balance; Sensations such as numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles"; Thinking and memory problems. No one knows what causes MS. It may be an autoimmune disease, which happens when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. Multiple sclerosis affects women more than men. It often begins between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually, the disease is mild, but some people lose the ability to write, speak, or walk. There is no specific test for MS. Doctors use a medical history, physical exam, neurological exam, MRI, and other tests to diagnose it. There is no cure for MS, but medicines may slow it down and help control symptoms. Physical and occupational therapy may also help. NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by disseminated patches of demyelination in the brain and spinal cord. Common symptoms include visual and oculomotor abnormalities, paresthesias, weakness, spasticity, urinary dysfunction, and mild cognitive symptoms. Typically, neurologic deficits are multiple, with remissions and exacerbations...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
-
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease that attacks myelinated axons in the central nervous system, destroying the myelin and the axon in variable degrees and producing significant physical disability within 20-25 years in more than 30% of patients. The hallmark of MS is symptomatic episodes that occur months...WebMD, 2019
-
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
-
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system, specifically the brain and the spinal cord. The disorder is characterized by destruction of the myelin, the fatty tissue that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers and promotes the transmission of nerve impulses, and damage to nerve cells. The...National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
-
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is defined as an inflammatory demyelinating disease characterized by the presence of episodic neurologic dysfunction in at least 2 areas of the CNS (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves) separated in time and space.Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
-
Multiple sclerosis (MS), progressive disease of the central nervous system characterized by destruction of the myelin sheath surrounding the nerve fibres of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, as a result of which, the transmission of nerve impulses becomes impaired, particularly in pathways...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
Return to OpenMD Medical Dictionary
> M
This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.