Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that damages parts of the brain and spinal cord. The body’s own immune system attacks tissue called myelin and the cells that create myelin.

Myelin acts as a protective covering in nerve cells, much like insulation. It helps signals pass quickly from cell to cell.

Without myelin, communication between cells slows down or stops. Inflammation (swelling) and scarring develop, and cells may degenerate over time.

MS is a lifelong condition that typically develops between ages 20 and 40. The disease can develop in several ways:

MS affects everyone differently and may cause changing symptoms over time. Factors such as age, lifestyle, when you were diagnosed and what treatments you’ve received can all impact your symptoms.

Our neurologists help you understand what MS looks like for you and how to recognize signs of an MS relapse. We are here for you if you experience severe MS symptoms that interfere with your daily life and abilities.

You may experience mild to severe symptoms in different parts of your body. These common symptoms include:

• Muscle weakness or stiffness 
• Movement changes, such as difficulty walking or uncontrolled movements 
• Tingling or numbness 
• An itching or burning sensation 
• Changes in vision, such as double vision or blurriness 
• Bladder or bowel issues, such as frequent urination or constipation 
• A squeezing feeling around your chest or stomach 
• Clumsiness or loss of coordination  
• Cognitive symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating or remembering things 

With MS, something prompts the immune system to attack myelin by mistake. Researchers don’t know what causes this immune response to start. Studies suggest a few different causes for MS, including:

We offer in-depth evaluations for MS in our Multiple Sclerosis Clinic. Our expertise and specialized tests ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis as early as possible.

We review your medical history and discuss your symptoms. We also do a physical and neurological exam to check for signs of MS in your movement and abilities.

Then, we may recommend several advanced tests for MS, including:

• Blood tests, to check your overall health and identify other conditions, such as autoimmune disease, that may cause similar symptoms to MS
• Evoked potentials, which test how quickly signals travel from your nerves to your brain by stimulating senses such as your vision or touch
• MRI of your brain or spine, to look for any damage or abnormalities that develop with MS. We can see spots of damaged myelin in the brain, spine, and nerves using MRI.
• Optical coherence tomography is an eye imaging test that checks for inflammation in the back of your eyes and your optic nerves (which connect your eyes to your brain)
• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture), to get a sample of your spine (cerebrospinal) fluid and check it for signs of infection or inflammation

No cure exists yet for MS, but we offer advanced and comprehensive treatment at UC Davis Health. We partner with you to deliver lifelong care that supports all aspects of your well-being. You can rely on our team of neurologists, rehabilitation therapists and mental health experts.

We start MS treatment as soon as possible to decrease inflammation, prevent relapses and slow disease progression. Your personalized care plan may include:

Talk with your provider about the best ways to prevent and manage MS relapses. You may need additional support during periods of severe MS symptoms. There are some things that can cause or worsen MS relapses.