Start here
Curated paths through the terms that matter most at specific moments.
Full A–Z
Every term, alphabetical.
C
Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)
Clinically isolated syndrome is a first episode of neurological symptoms that lasts at least 24 hours and looks a lot like MS. It might be o...
Cognitive Fog
Cognitive fog, sometimes called brain fog or cog fog, describes trouble with thinking clearly. It can include slower processing, losing your...
D
Disease-Modifying Therapy (DMT)
Disease-modifying therapies are medications designed to change the long-term course of MS. They work by calming the immune system so it caus...
E
EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale)
The EDSS is a scale from 0 to 10 that doctors use to describe how much MS is affecting physical function, especially walking. Lower numbers ...
Escalation Therapy
Escalation therapy is a treatment approach where a person starts on a lower-intensity DMT and switches to a stronger one if MS stays active....
Evoked Potentials
Evoked potentials are tests that measure how quickly your nerves carry signals to your brain in response to what you see, hear, or feel. Sma...
F
Fatigue
MS fatigue is a deep, heavy tiredness that is different from being sleepy or out of shape. It can show up even after a full night of rest an...
Foot Drop
Foot drop is trouble lifting the front of the foot while walking, which can cause the toes to drag or catch. It happens when the nerves that...
G
Gadolinium Contrast
Gadolinium is a contrast agent sometimes given through an IV during an MRI. It helps highlight areas of active inflammation, which appear br...
H
Heat Sensitivity
Heat sensitivity is the tendency for MS symptoms to get worse when your body temperature rises. Warm weather, hot showers, fevers, and inten...
High-Efficacy DMT
High-efficacy DMTs are disease-modifying therapies that tend to reduce relapses and new MRI activity more strongly than older options. Examp...
I
Infusion Therapy
Infusion therapy is medication given slowly through a vein, usually at a clinic or infusion center. Several MS DMTs are given this way, on s...
L
Lesion
A lesion is a patch of nerve damage in the brain or spinal cord that shows up on an MRI. In MS, lesions are spots where the protective coati...
Lumbar Puncture
A lumbar puncture, sometimes called a spinal tap, is a test where a small amount of fluid is taken from around the spinal cord using a thin ...
M
McDonald Criteria
The McDonald Criteria is the checklist doctors use to decide if a person has MS. It combines symptoms, MRI findings, and sometimes spinal fl...
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
An MRI is a scan that uses strong magnets and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the brain and spinal cord. In MS, it is used to look ...
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective coating around nerves in the brain and spin...
O
Oligoclonal Bands
Oligoclonal bands are specific proteins from the immune system that show up as stripes on a lab test. They are found in the spinal fluid of ...
Optic Neuritis
Optic neuritis is inflammation of the nerve that carries signals from the eye to the brain. It often causes blurry vision, a dim or washed-o...
P
Paresthesia
Paresthesia is the medical word for feelings like numbness, tingling, pins and needles, or a buzzing sensation in the skin. In MS, it can sh...
Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)
Primary progressive MS is a form of MS where symptoms gradually build from the very beginning, without the clear relapses and remissions see...
Pseudo-exacerbation
A pseudo-exacerbation is a temporary return or worsening of old MS symptoms caused by something other than new nerve damage. Common triggers...
R
Relapse
A relapse, also called an exacerbation or flare, is a new symptom or a clear worsening of an old symptom that lasts at least 24 hours and is...
Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)
Relapsing-remitting MS is the most common form of MS. People with RRMS have flare-ups of new or worsening symptoms (relapses) followed by pe...
S
Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS)
Secondary progressive MS is a phase some people move into after years of relapsing-remitting MS. In SPMS, symptoms gradually build up over t...
Spasticity
Spasticity is unusual stiffness or tightness in muscles, often in the legs. It can feel like a muscle that will not relax, a sudden jerk, or...
Spoon Theory
Spoon theory is a way to talk about limited energy when you have a chronic illness. The idea is that you start each day with a set number of...
Steroid Treatment
Steroid treatment uses high doses of corticosteroids, often methylprednisolone, to calm down the inflammation during an MS relapse. It can b...
Symptom Management
Symptom management is the part of MS care that focuses on how you feel day to day, rather than on the underlying disease. It can include med...
U
Uhthoff's Phenomenon
Uhthoff's phenomenon is when MS symptoms temporarily get worse as your body heats up. Triggers can include hot weather, a hot shower, exerci...
Check out the MS Buddy App
It's free, no ads. How? It's made and supported by MS patients who get their ideas from other MS patients.
Not medical advice. Always consult your care team.