Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that affects 250,000 to 400,000 people living in the United States. It generally starts in young adulthood. Written by a professor of medicine who is also personally affected by the disease, Multiple Sclerosis offers an overview of every aspect of the condition. It begins by introducing the central nervous system and describing how multiple sclerosis affects the brain and spinal cord. The author then reviews early understanding of MS, how it was first recognized as a disease, and the discoveries that have helped explain its causes. The book describes MS symptoms, societal attitudes, workplace accomidations, aids for those with walking difficulty, and reviews today's treatments and research directions. Perhaps most important, it presents the experiences of persons living with multiple sclerosis, concluding with a discussion of factors affecting these individuals in their homes, families, and communities.