Types of MS

There are four types of MS, each with its own characteristics. Some people may be only mildly affected throughout their lives while, for others, progression may occur quite quickly. Most people with MS experience something in between these extremes. It is not always clear what type of MS someone has, particularly when newly diagnosed. Regardless of the type of MS, health professionals will base symptom management on individual needs.

 

Relapsing remitting MS

Most people are first diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS. This means they experience a relapse or flare up of symptoms (also known as an attack or exacerbation) followed by remission (a period of recovery).

A relapse is defined by the appearance of new symptoms, or the return of old symptoms, for a period of 24 hours or more, in the absence of a change in core body temperature or infection. Relapses occur when inflammatory cells attack the myelin of specific nerves, interfering with the job the nerve normally does. For example, inflammation in the optic nerve may result in visual problems. Relapses usually take a few days to develop and can last for days, weeks or months, varying from mild to severe. Remission occurs when the inflammation subsides and symptoms settle down.

In the early stages of relapsing remitting MS, symptoms can disappear completely during remissions. However, after several relapses there may be some residual damage to the myelin, resulting in only a partial recovery.

Secondary progressive MS

Most people who start out with relapsing remitting MS later develop a form that is known as secondary progressive MS. In secondary progressive MS, symptoms do not go away completely after a relapse and there is a steady increase in disability. To determine if a person has moved on to secondary progressive MS, they must have shown a continued deterioration for at least six months, whether they continue to have relapses or not.

On average, 65 per cent of people with relapsing remitting MS will have developed secondary progressive MS within 15 years of diagnosis.

You can learn more about SPMS and how you can manage by watching our video series here

Benign MS

People with relapsing remitting MS who only have a small number of relapses, followed by a complete recovery, may be described as having benign MS. It is only possible to make a diagnosis of benign MS once a person has experienced little or no disability for a period of 10 to 15 years. However, a diagnosis of benign MS does not mean they will be free of problems; a relapse may occasionally occur after many years in which the MS has been inactive.

Primary progressive MS

Primary progressive MS is a relatively unusual form of MS which tends to be diagnosed in older people, usually in their forties or later. From the outset, those with primary progressive MS experience steadily worsening symptoms and an increase in disability. Symptoms may level off at any time, or may continue to worsen. Approximately 10 to 15 per cent of people with MS have the primary progressive form.

 

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