Multiple sclerosis regional program | veterans affairs

ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS) Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex neurologic disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS) which includes the brain, spinal cord, and vision

pathways. In MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, the fatty tissue that surrounds and protects nerve fibers, as well as the nerve fibers themselves. This damage is called

demyelination and the scar tissues that develop when myelin is damaged are called sclerosis, also known as lesions or plaques. When any part of the myelin sheath or nerve fiber is damaged or

destroyed, nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord are distorted or interrupted, causing a wide variety of symptoms. Sometimes the myelin can repair itself and the MS

symptoms go away after the immune attack, or relapse. However, over time, the myelin and underlying nerve fibers cannot recover and suffer permanent damage. This may lead to a decline in

function depending on the disease course. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CARE The VA’s MS health care team is here to: * Support Veterans and their family, * Work with Veterans to improve their overall

health, * Introduce Veterans to medications and strategies to help them manage their MS and the symptoms associated with MS, and * Help Veterans achieve their physical, psychological,

vocational, and social goals. Our MS health care team works with Veterans and their families to develop an individualized plan for managing Veterans' health. We encourage Veterans to

learn as much as they can about MS and actively engage in their care.