8 things a neurologist wants you to know about Multiple Sclerosis


LearnBrain & nervous systemA patient’s guide to treating relapsing MS8 things a neurologist wants you to know about Multiple Sclerosis
Genetics play a role in MS risk…
But one’s environment also contributes to risk
It isn’t only older people who develop MS
You won’t necessarily end up in a wheelchair
Getting pregnant is safe
Exercise is advisable for MS
MS does not always progress quickly
MS can be treated effectively

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune condition that affects nearly 1 million people in the United States, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The disease may produce a range of symptoms, including fatigue, muscle weakness, and cognitive impairment, as well as difficulty with movement and vision. Because it can look so different from person to person, misconceptions about MS abound, from whether it’s curable to what the future holds for someone with the condition.

Ellen Lathi, MD, a neurologist in Wellesley, Massachusetts, helps clear up some of the most common misunderstandings about MS and explains what the outlook looks like for patients.

Sources: National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Who... + 24
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  9. Saastamoinen K-P, Auvinen M-K, et al. Month of birth is associated with multiple sclerosis but not with HLA-DR15 in Finland. Multiple Sclerosis Journal. 2012;18(5):563-568.
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  19. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Heat Sensitivity With Multiple Sclerosis. Accessed December 8, 2025.
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  23. National Institutes of Health. Estimates of Funding for Various Research, Condition, and Disease Categories (RCDC). May 16, 2022.
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Written by Emily Willingham, PhD.
Medically reviewed by Megan Burke, MD.October, 2025
Updated onAugust, 2026

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