Multiple sclerosis - Causes, risk factors and symptoms of the disease - A literature review

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (SM) is a classified chronic disease which leads to disability. Apart from severe cases, persons suffering from SM, live on average, as long as healthy people, however, their everyday life is often considerably difficult. SM usually occurs in young people. The first relapse normally happens between the age of 20 and 40. As a result of the pathologic process, myelin, i.e. the substance from which neuron sheaths are built, is damaged. The process disrupts normal impulse transmission along neural paths in the encephalon and the spinal cord. The causes of SM are unknown, despite broad knowledge of the mechanisms of impairments that occur in the course of the disease. The symptoms of SM can be transient and sometimes seem difficult to describe.