Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple Sclerosis, abbreviated to MS, is a disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It's a common misconception that MS is a muscular disease. While MS can cause muscle paralysis, it remains a condition of the central nervous system. "Multiple" means numerous, and "sclerosis" means hardening. MS is a chronic disease, meaning it does not go away once it develops. MS mainly affects young people.
In the Netherlands, around 15,000 people live with MS, with roughly 350 new patients diagnosed every year. Notably, MS occurs more frequently in countries with a temperate climate, such as the Northern European countries, North America and Canada. An increased risk of developing MS is also seen in countries where the majority of the population is of Northern European descent, such as Australia and New Zealand.
The age at which the first symptoms appear is typically between twenty and forty. MS occurs more often in women than in men, and tends to begin at an earlier age in women. MS presents with vague symptoms such as fatigue, sudden vision problems, loss of strength in the arms and legs, and sensory disturbances.