Signs and symptoms
... Symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary widely, depending on the location of affected nerve fibers. Signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis may include: Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, which t...

Causes
... Your central nervous system contains millions of nerve cells joined together by nerve fibers. Electrical impulses originate in nerve cells and travel along the nerve fibers to and from your brain. Mye...

Risk factors
... These factors may increase your risk of developing multiple sclerosis: Heredity. Multiple sclerosis is more common in people of Northern European descent. There also appears to be a genetic component ...

When to seek medical advice
... One of the early indications of MS is numbness and tingling in your arms, legs or elsewhere in your body. Although numbness most often doesn''t indicate MS, it''s important to see your doctor if you e...

Screening and diagnosis
... Multiple sclerosis can be difficult to diagnose. Your doctor may base a diagnosis of MS on the following: Medical history. Your doctor reviews your symptoms and the pattern of the symptoms. Neurologic...

How is MS Diagnosed?
... There is no single diagnostic test that is proof-positive for multiple sclerosis. There is a set of accepted criteria for MS diagnosis, but even this system is imperfect. Since diagnosing MS can be ve...