About MS
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system (CNS). It is one of the most common diseases affecting young adults in New Zealand.
The CNS is like a switchboard, sending electrical messages along the nerves to other parts of the body. Nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord are covered by a fatty substance called myelin, which protects and helps the flow of messages through the nerves.
In MS, some of the myelin becomes damaged. This damage can interfere with messages between the brain and other parts of the body, causing a variety of symptoms. Some of these symptoms can interfere with normal activities or functioning, and in some people can cause disability.
MS symptoms can have periods of relapse and remission, or can follow a progressive course. For everyone with MS, having this condition makes life unpredictable.
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