World Multiple Sclerosis Day is celebrated on the last Wednesday of May.

This day began to be celebrated in 2009. It is estimated that there are 2.3 million people with multiple sclerosis worldwide, including 5,000 Portuguese.

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune, degenerative disease of the central nervous system, which affects young adults between the ages of 20 and 40, but especially young women. It affects functions such as vision, locomotion and balance. Multiple sclerosis can become disabling years after the diagnosis of the disease.

Risk factors for multiple sclerosis

Researchers argue that the disease is caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors:

- Tobacco;
- Environmental factors such as lack of sun exposure;
- Genetic factors.

How to identify multiple sclerosis

The symptoms of this disease vary greatly, and depend on the location of inflammation and demyelination in the central nervous system.

- Fatigue
- Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optical nerve of vision)
- Loss of muscle strength in the arms and legs
- Sensitivity changes
- Pain
- Urinary and intestinal changes
- Sexual problems
- Balance/coordination
- Cognitive changes
- Mood change and depression

Did you know that?

Multiple sclerosis is the main cause of youth disability, after incidents.

The events of this day can be known on the official website of World MS Day.

Source: Calendarr