Multiple Sclerosis | Neurology

Neurology

Multiple Sclerosis

Our expert neurologists and rehabilitation specialists are here to support all aspects of your health — physical, mental and emotional — with multiple sclerosis.

Medically reviewed by Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan, M.D. on Aug. 26, 2025.

Health care provider discussing multiple sclerosis diagnosis with patient.

Personalized Care for Multiple Sclerosis

At UC Davis Health, we provide specialized care for all types of multiple sclerosis (MS) at our Multiple Sclerosis Clinic. Our neurologists and rehabilitation experts support you through the ups and downs of living with MS. We focus on protecting your brain and spinal cord from this common demyelinating disease and improving your quality of life.

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What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

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:

Relapsing-Remitting

This most common form of MS causes symptoms that come and go. You experience new or repeating symptoms that last for a few weeks, known as a relapse, flare-up or attack. Then, symptoms go away or lessen, known as remission. Symptoms may become more severe and cause lasting problems over several years.

Primary Progressive

This form of MS slowly worsens over many years. With time, you experience more symptoms that increase in severity. Primary progressive MS affects about 15 to 20% of people living with MS.

Secondary Progressive

This form of MS first looks like relapsing-remitting MS, with symptoms that come and go. But then the disease starts to worsen slowly over time, like primary progressive MS.

Progressive Relapsing

This least common form of MS slowly worsens over time, like primary progressive MS. However, you experience times when symptoms temporarily get worse (relapses).

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Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

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 
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Causes of Multiple Sclerosis

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:

Autoimmune Response

An abnormality within your nervous system (brain and spinal cord) may trigger an immune response, leading to inflammation and MS. Or, an external threat to the immune system, such as a virus, may cause MS. MS is commonly associated with exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus (which causes mononucleosis).

Environmental Factors

More people develop MS in northern and southern parts of the world — farther from the equator. Environmental factors, such as virus exposure, reduced sun exposure and lack of vitamin D, may play a role in causing MS.

Genetics

Gene changes may cause MS. These abnormal genes may get passed down through families. You face a 2 to 4% higher chance of developing MS if you have an immediate family member with MS.

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Diagnosis and Testing for Multiple Sclerosis

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 as 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, 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

Multiple Sclerosis Treatments

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:

Disease-Modifying Therapies for MS

Disease-modifying therapies are medications that help reduce flare-ups and slow the progression of MS. They work to lower inflammation and control your immune system. Some therapies also help your cells and tissues repair themselves. You may receive disease-modifying therapy as a daily pill, an injection or an infusion.

Medication for MS Relapses

You may need medication, such as corticosteroids, to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms during a relapse. We work with you to figure out the right medication and dose for you.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation, including physical, occupational, speech and cognitive therapy, can help you manage MS symptoms and recover after relapses. Highly skilled therapists in our Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation support you from diagnosis throughout treatment. Our team also provides education and coping strategies for living with MS, in addition to caring for your physical health.

Alternative Therapies

Some people benefit from alternative therapies for MS, such as acupuncture, vitamin supplements or medical marijuana (cannabis). Alternative therapies can help ease symptoms like muscle stiffness and pain.

Assistive Devices for MS

As MS worsens, you have access to many resources that can help you maintain your independence. Talk to your provider about assistive technology and complex rehabilitation technology such as screen readers, cooking tools, bathroom aids, walking aids, lift chairs and wheelchairs. These devices and tools help you carry out your daily activities, just a little differently.

Lifestyle Changes

You may need to make lifestyle changes to help prevent MS attacks. Your provider may recommend healthy habits such as following an exercise plan, optimizing your nutrition and getting enough sleep.

Mental Health Support

MS can influence so many parts of your life and keep you from doing the things you love. It can affect your mental health, your independence and your relationships. Our compassionate psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers are here to support you through every challenge.

Clinical Trials

Researchers at UC Davis Health strive to find more effective, innovative MS treatments. We study possible cures such as new disease-modifying therapies and stem cell therapy for MS. Find an active clinical trial for MS.

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Preventing Multiple Sclerosis Relapses

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 can cause or worsen MS relapses.

“Multiple Sclerosis,” National Library of Medicine (StatPearls), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499849/ 

Who does it affect?

2xMore women than men live with MS

Relapse-remitting MS affects

70-80%Of people living with MS

Sources: Journal of Clinical Pathology: Demyelinating Diseases

National Library of Medicine (StatPearls): Multiple Sclerosis

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