Term: Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2010-10-22

Definition:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Its effects are diverse and may include problems in balance, vision, communication, memory, and movement, as well as more general symptoms such as pain and fatigue. The course of disease varies between people. Some may have long periods of remission between active episodes, while others may have progression of symptoms from the time of onset, and still others may have an initial period of relapses and remissions followed by a progressive course. MS is treatable through a variety of modalities, with variable impact on the progress of the disease; however, a cure for MS is not yet available.

For more information, please read the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Defining in Administrative Data concept.

Related concepts 

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Defining in Administrative Data

Related terms 

• Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID)

References 

• Martens P, Brownell M, Au W, MacWiliam L, Prior H, Schultz J, Guenette W, Elliott L, Buchan S, Anderson M, Caetano P, Metge C, Santos R, Serwonka K. Health Inequities in Manitoba: Is the Socioeconomic Gap in Health Widening or Narrowing Over Time? Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2010. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] [Additional Materials] (View)