In general, MS is not life threatening. The life expectancy of those with MS is only slightly less than the general population. When premature death occurs, it is usually the result of complications such as pneumonia or other infections. The disease is not contagious, and its course is very unpredictable. There is tremendous variation between patients and in patients in various stages of the disease.
Myelin is like the insulation surrounding and protecting electrical wires.
When the myelin is damaged, nerve impulses are not quickly and efficiently transmitted. These symptoms may go away or may remain after an attack. They may get progressively worse over time. For individuals with progressive forms of MS, these symptoms may gradually worsen over time without rapid or abrupt changes. Symptoms associated with relapses or attacks usually develop over a period of hours to days, persist for a matter of days or weeks, and then partially or completely disappear with or without treatment.