Definition of Disease

• MS occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the substance myelin in the nervous system.
• Since myelin surrounds and protects the nerve fibers, when the system attacks it, the nerve system in the central nervous may be damaged as well.
  
• Although the cause of the actual destruction of myelin is still unknown, it is widely accepted that MS is an autoimmune disease with the contribution of other factors, such as genetics, infection, and environmental factors.
• When myelin is destroyed, the messages between the brain and spinal cord are either slowed or blocked completely.
• This interferes with the transmission of signals from the CNS and other parts of the body. The messages can be misinterpreted by the brain.
• These misinterpreted messages are what cause the symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis.