Multiple Sclerosis Types

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common disease of the central nervous system (CNS) in which the myelin, the fatty covering that insulates nerve cell fibers in the brain and spinal cord, is damaged. When myelin is damaged, a dense, scar-like tissue known as sclerosis forms. The formation of scar tissue can slow down or even prevent the transmission of signals between nerve cells, impairing many body functions, including vision, mobility, and coordination.

Are there different types of Multiple Sclerosis?

There are four recognized types of MS –

1) Relapsing/Remitting: MS with clear relapses (also called acute attacks or exacerbations) with either full recovery, or with partial recovery and some lasting disability. Between attacks their israrely progression (or worsening) of the disease. Some people are diagnosed with Benign MS. In these cases there may only be one or two attacks and no residual disability. This type would still fall under the Relapsing/Remitting heading.

2) Secondary Progressive: MS that begins with a pattern of clearcut relapses and remissions, but becomes steadily progressive over time with continued worsening between occassional acute attacks.

3) Primary Progressive: MS with steady progression (or worsening) from onset, with only occassional plateaus or minor recovery. This is a farely uncommon disease course, and one that may involve different brain and spinal cord damage than do other forms of MS.

4) Progressive Relapsing: A rare type of MS that is steadily progressive from the onset, but also has clear acute attacks.