1. Multiple sclerosis (MS): A condition where your immune system attacks the protective covering (see "Myelin") of nerves in your brain and spinal cord. This can slow or block messages between your brain and body, and causes different symptoms for everyone.
   
   

2. MS subtypes* (RRMS, PPMS, SPMS):

• Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS): Most common; involves relapses followed by periods of remission.

• Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS): RRMS at the beginning, but with later on gradual worsening of symptoms despite treatment.

• Primary Progressive MS (PPMS): Slowly gets worse from the start without clear relapses.

*NOTE: These categories of MS subtypes are in the process of being replaced. Read more on the changing categories here.

3. Myelin: A protective coating of fat around your nerves, like the rubber insulation around electrical wires. MS damages myelin, which makes nerve signals slower or misfire. Damage to myelin explains many MS symptoms like numbness, tingling, or movement changes.
   
   

4. Lesion / Plaque: Areas of damage in the brain or spinal cord seen on MRI scans. 

Quick fact: Lesions in one location of one person's brain most often won't have the same effect as lesions in the same location of another person's brain, because everyone's brain is uniquely wired.

5. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A scan that shows your brain and spinal cord. Used to find lesions and track MS activity. MRIs are often used to diagnose MS and track MS progression over time. [READ THE MRI GUIDE].
   
   

6. Neurologist: A doctor who specializes in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Neurologists are usually the main doctors who diagnose and manage MS. They help guide treatment decisions, track your disease, and coordinate with other specialists.
   
   

7. Disease-Modifying Therapy (DMT): Medications that reduce inflammation, lower relapse risk, and slow progression.

Quick fact: DMTs are a core part of MS care, but not all work for everyone. Your neurologist should help you find the best fit.

8. Progression: The gradual worsening of MS over time, either in the form of new symptoms or the worsening of old ones.
   
   

9. Relapse: A sudden new symptom or worsening of an old symptom caused by inflammation in your nervous system. Relapses are often used to guide treatment decisions (e.g., "DMTs") and may require more urgent medical intervention like steroids.
   
   

10. Remission: A period when symptoms improve or disappear after a relapse. 

Quick fact: Many people with MS have periods of remission. Tracking these can help you understand if a DMT is working for you or what your disease pattern looks like in the long-term.

1. Symptom: Any change in the body or mind that feels different, uncomfortable, or unusual, and may indicate MS or an MS relapse. MS symptoms are different for everyone that has it.

Some of the symptoms of MS can be described as...

• Fatigue: A deep, overwhelming tiredness that doesn’t go away with sleep. Fatigue can affect your ability to work, exercise, or enjoy daily activities. Tracking patterns helps your care team suggest strategies, including trying fatigue medication, if needed.

• Numbness / Tingling (Paresthesia): Pins-and-needles, tingling, or loss of feeling in parts of your body. 

• Heat Sensitivity (Uhthoff’s Phenomenon): When symptoms get worse in hotter temperatures, either from exercise, weather, or fever. 

• Brain fog / Cognitive fog / Cognitive changes: Trouble thinking clearly, remembering things, focusing, or processing information. Cognitive changes are a real effect that MS can have on people, and can affect work, school, or daily tasks. 

• Optic neuritis / changes in vision: Blurry vision, double vision, eye pain, or temporary vision loss caused by inflammation of the optic nerve. 

• Pain: Discomfort or pain caused by nerve damage (neuropathic pain), muscle or joint issues, or ongoing/chronic pain that persists over time. This can include sharp, burning, stabbing, or aching sensations, and it may be constant or come and go.

• Muscle Spasms / Stiffness (Spasticity): Muscles feel tight or contract suddenly, sometimes causing noticeable jerking or stiffness.

• Balance / Coordination Changes: Feeling unsteady, clumsy, or more likely to trip or fall. Balance issues increase fall risk and may require physical therapy, mobility aids, or home modifications to accommodate or improve.

• Gait / Walking Changes: Changes in how you walk, such as dragging a foot or "foot drop," limping, or needing a cane or walker. 

Quick Tip: Early attention to mobility and therapy can help preserve function and prevent injury caused by walking changes. 

• Paralysis / Weakness: Partial or complete loss of movement in one part of your body. Weakness or paralysis can affect walking, hand use, or balance. Physical therapy, adaptive devices, or home modifications may help maintain independence.

• Tremor / Shaking: Involuntary shaking in your hands, arms, legs, or head. Tremors can make daily tasks harder (like holding utensils or writing) and may be managed best with adaptive tools.

• Coordination / Fine Motor Changes: Trouble with tasks that require hand-eye coordination or small, focused movement, like buttoning clothes or writing.

• Bladder Changes: Urgency, frequency, leakage, or difficulty emptying. 

Quick fact: bladder changes are very common and treatable!

• Bowel Changes: Constipation, urgency, or incontinence.

• Sensory Overload: Feeling overwhelmed by noise, light, or multitasking, often worsened by fatigue or cognitive changes.

• Speech & Swallowing Changes: Slurred speech, difficulty forming words, or trouble swallowing.

• Hearing / Sensory Changes: Rare, but some people experience ringing in the ears, hearing loss, or other sensory disturbances.
  
  

2. Pseudo-relapse or "flare": A temporary flare-up of already-known symptoms caused by something other than new inflammation, like heat, infection, or stress.

1. Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs): DMTs are medications designed to reduce inflammation in the nervous system, lower relapse risk, and slow long-term progression of MS. Choosing the right therapy can help you maintain function and reduce uncertainty about the future.

2. Steroids: A short courses of steroids are often used to treat relapses by quickly reducing inflammation and easing symptoms. While they can help you recover faster from flares, they are usually not meant for long-term use.

3. Symptom-Management Medications: These medications target specific issues like pain, spasticity, fatigue, or bladder problems. Using them can improve daily comfort and make everyday activities more manageable.

4. Physical Therapy (PT): Physical therapy focuses on improving strength, balance, coordination, and mobility. Regular PT can prevent falls, maintain independence, and help you adapt to changes in movement over time.

5. Occupational Therapy (OT): OT helps you safely manage daily tasks, work, and hobbies using strategies, exercises, and adaptive tools. It supports independence and can make it easier to continue activities you enjoy.

6. Speech & Swallowing Therapy: Speech and swallowing therapy helps address slurred speech or difficulty swallowing caused by MS. Early support can improve communication, safety, and overall quality of life.

7. Lifestyle & Wellness Approaches: Exercise, energy management, stress reduction, cooling strategies, and good sleep habits can help manage MS symptoms and improve well-being. While they don’t replace medical treatment, these approaches often make daily life easier and support long-term health.

8. Assistive Devices & Adaptive Tools: Canes, walkers, braces, adaptive utensils, shower chairs, or other tools help you stay safe and independent as symptoms change. Using these devices early can prevent injuries and support continued participation in work, school, or hobbies.

9. Complementary & Alternative Approaches: Techniques such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, or certain supplements may provide symptom relief or enhance wellness. It’s important to discuss these approaches with your care team to ensure they’re safe alongside prescribed treatments.