- MS is a chronic disease of the Central Nervous System.
- MS means, literally, "many scars."
- The cause of MS is unknown. It could be a virus, an auto-immune reaction, or a combination.
- MS is not preventable or curable (YET!).
- MS is NOT contagious.
- MS is NOT congenital, but there are some hereditary factors.
- MS usually strikes people when they are aged 20-40.
- More women than men get MS. There are approximately 3 women to every man with MS.
- The occurrence of MS is highest in temperate zones (such as New Zealand and northern Europe).
- Even in high-risk areas, MS rarely strikes certain racial groups (e.g. Maori and Polynesians, native Americans, black South Africans).
- The name Multiple Sclerosis was first applied to the disease in 1868 (by Charcot in France).
- Most people with MS lead a fairly normal life, most of the time.
- Symptoms of MS usually appear, and disappear unpredictably.
- People with MS need to get adequate rest to reduce fatigue.
The information in this section hs been provided by The Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Zealand. Visit thier offical page here: www.msnz.org.nz
