World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2014
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders and causes of disability in young adults.
It is found in every country in the world, where epidemiological data exists. It affects an estimated two million people worldwide, although it is likely that many hundreds of thousands more remain undiagnosed*. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 31, with approximately twice as many women diagnosed than men. It is not yet known what causes the disease, and as yet there is no cure.
The severity of the course of MS as well as the symptoms can vary widely among individuals. These can include blurred vision, weak limbs, tingling sensations, unsteadiness and fatigue. For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission, while for others it has a progressive pattern. Some people may feel and seem healthy for many years following diagnosis, while others may be severely debilitated very quickly. For everyone, MS makes life unpredictable.
* MSIF’s World Health Organisation supported Atlas of MS. The global estimate of the numbers of people affected with MS is reported at 1.3 million in the 93 countries for which there is data, plus a population-based estimate for the countries with no data.
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