Understanding Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, degenerative neurological condition affecting the central nervous system, where it may impact the brain, spinal cord and/or optic nerve. MS impacts more young people is Australia than any other chronic progressive neurological disease.

In MS, the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks and damages fatty material (myelin) around the nerves. Myelin is important for protecting and insulating nerves so that electrical messages the brain sends to the rest of the body travel quickly and efficiently. As the myelin breaks down nerves become exposed and scarred, and as a result, the brain cannot talk to other parts of the body which results in a range of symptoms that can include loss of motor function (e.g. walking, hand and arm function, loss of sensation, pain, vision changes and changes to thinking and memory).

There is no known single cause of MS, but many genetic and environmental factors have been shown to contribute to its development.

While there is no known cure as yet, therapeutic and technological advances are helping to manage symptoms and get the best out of life. A coordinated multidisciplinary care approach can help people living with multiple sclerosis, which is why MSWA is dedicated to supporting you throughout your journey and your daily needs.

Our comprehensive range of services is designed to empower you to live life the way you want and not be bound by limits, whatever your goals may be.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

No two people will experience multiple sclerosis in the same way, and symptoms can be variable and unpredictable depending on which part of the central nervous system is affected and to what degree.

Symptoms can be any combination of the five major functional impairments.

Motor control

Unsteady movements
Muscular spasms and tremors
Muscle weakness
Impaired gait
Coordination problems
Speech and verbal difficulties
Abnormal tone
Hyper-tonicity
Swallowing and breathing difficulties
Heart problems
Imbalance and impaired upper and lower limb function

Neurological

Dizziness and vertigo
Pins and needles
Nerve pain and ongoing pain
Visual disturbances
Inability to regulate body temperature

Neuropsychological

Brain fog
Impaired memory and concentration
Changes in processing speed and ability
Impaired executive function
Personality changes
Emotional changes
Anxiety
Depression
Cognitive impairment
Sleeping difficulties

Fatigue

Debilitating fatigue
Heat sensitivity and intolerance
Difficulty walking distances
Difficulty concentration or ability to complete daily tasks and work

Bladder and bowel dysfunction

Incontinence
Failure to store or empty the bladder
Urgency
Nocturia
Faecal impaction and constipation
Diarrhoea
Sexual problems

Types of Multiple Sclerosis

Relapsing remitting MS is the most common disease course characterised by clearly defined attacks or increased neurological activity followed by periods of complete or partial recovery.

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis

There is no single cause of MS; however, studies have found a complex interaction between genetic susceptibility, environmental and lifestyle factors.

Genetics
MS is not a genetic or hereditary condition and the majority of people who develop MS have no previous family history of the condition, it also does not mean following generations will develop MS. Over 200 genetic changes are believed to play a role in MS but they will only increase susceptibility to MS in combination with other environmental factors.
Infection
A variety of viruses have been linked to MS, including Epstein-Barr virus. There appears to be some type of immune response triggered that predisposes someone to MS, rather than EBV itself.
Geographic location
MS is found to be more common in areas farthest from the equator. However, prevalence rates may differ significantly among groups living in the same geographic area regardless of distance from the equator. In Australia, those living in northern Queensland are two times less likely to develop MS than those in Tasmania.
Vitamin D
Numerous research studies have seen a correlation between vitamin D levels and MS. Most of the vitamin D we need is made in our body in response to sunlight through exposure to UV radiation. Low levels of vitamin D relate to an increased risk of developing MS, as well as negatively impacting on disease activity.
Smoking
It has been clearly shown that smoking significantly increases chances of developing MS. Smokers, and people exposed to second-hand smoke, are almost two times more likely to develop progressive forms of MS.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis/What happens next?

Whether you've been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis recently or sometime in the past, MSWA is here to provide you with vital support and services throughout your neurological condition journey. Your wellbeing, safety and comfort is top priority – we offer flexible services via phone or video call, in a safe way in your home and/or in a safe way in our Centres.

The range of services we offer include counselling, dietetics, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, in-home care and social welfare.

Contact us

For more information to see how we can best help you and to contact us, visit our Get Support page.

Alternatively, call us on 1300 097 989 (metropolitan WA) or 1800 287 367 (regional WA).

Additional resources and support

Please see below for some resources you may find useful:

Visit the Australian Government’s Health Direct website for key facts and health service information.
Visit our sister organisation’s MS Australia website for detailed advice on treatment, prevention and recovery as the peak care, advocacy and research national body for Parkinson’s disease.

Other sources to reference:

Information on this webpage was partly obtained from the below official resources.