Christina Applegate announced on August 10 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) “a few months ago.” Best known for roles in Bad Moms, Married…with Children, and the Netflix series Dead to Me, her announcement raises awareness of the neurologic disorder and sheds light on those living with it. Actress Selma Blair, who previously went public with a diagnosis of MS herself, sent her support to Applegate. Here’s what you should know about the neurologic disorder.

What is MS?

In MS, the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord. This damages nerves and the tissue that covers and protects nerve fibers. Damage to this protective tissue changes how the nerves deliver signals from the brain and spinal cord and can slow down or block messages between the brain and body. Experts estimate that nearly 1,000,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with MS, with twice as many women being affected as men.

What are the symptoms of MS?

Symptoms can include fatigue, tingling, numbness, loss of balance, blurred or double vision, and weakness in one or more limbs. Muscle stiffness, pain, urinary symptoms, and cognitive problems may also develop as the disease progresses. The course of the disease is unpredictable, and severity often varies between individuals.

What treatments are available for MS?

While there is no cure for MS, the disease is highly treatable. Sixteen drugs, called disease-modifying therapies, have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to reduce relapses as well as decrease inflammation and new areas of nerve damage on MRI. Treatment also includes symptom management and lifestyle modification, which can improve function and quality of life. Additionally, new information is emerging about the importance of diet, exercise, and not smoking in promoting wellness in people with MS.

Read More

• Brain & Life Multiple Sclerosis Overview
• Multiple Sclerosis 101: What Patients Need to Know
• COVID-19 and MS: Medication Tips for Patients 
• How Multiple Sclerosis Affects Black People
• Can Myelin Repair Lead to the Reversal of Multiple Sclerosis?
• Why MS Patients May Benefit from Aggressive Early Treatment

Resources

• Multiple Sclerosis Association of America: mymsaa.org; 800-532-7667
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: ninds.nih.gov; 800-352-9424
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society: nationalmssociety.org; 800-344-4867
• Navigating Life with Multiple Sclerosis by Kathleen Costello, MS, ANP-BC, MSCN; Ben W. Thrower, MD; and Barbara S. Giesser, MD, FAAN (Oxford University Press)