However, it is increasingly thought that a virus may provoke the illness, but researchers still question this idea. Genes and an imbalance in the immune system may also influence an individual to the illness. Considered a lifelong disorder, trends show that MS often strikes between the ages of 30 and 50, and mostly women. MS is not considered a fatal, contagious or directly hereditary illness, although a susceptibility to MS may be inherited. MS is often characterized by a pattern of exacerbations and remissions.
Some people experience only very mild symptoms with difficult, but non-disabling symptoms.
More common are severe attacks followed by periods of recovery. Still others progress to a serious stage in which they may need a wheelchair. Symptoms include fatigue, which can be overwhelming though a person may appear well. In addition, loss of coordination, muscle weakness, spasticity, numbness, slurred speech, and visual difficulties often occur. Most acute symptoms, but least occurring, may be paralysis, muscle cramps, bladder or bowel problems and sexual dysfunction.