multiple sclerosis

noun

, Pathology.

1. a chronic degenerative, often episodic disease of the central nervous system marked by patchy destruction of the myelin that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers, usually appearing in young adulthood and manifested by one or more mild to severe neural and muscular impairments, as spastic weakness in one or more limbs, local sensory losses, bladder dysfunction, or visual disturbances.

multiple sclerosis

noun

1. a chronic progressive disease of the central nervous system characterized by loss of some of the myelin sheath surrounding certain nerve fibres and resulting in speech and visual disorders, tremor, muscular incoordination, partial paralysis, etc Also calleddisseminated sclerosis

multiple sclerosis

/ sklə-rō′sĭs /

1. A chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system in which gradual destruction of myelin occurs in the brain or spinal cord or both, interfering with the nerve pathways and causing muscular weakness, loss of coordination, and speech and visual disturbances. It occurs chiefly in young adults and is thought to be caused by a defect in the immune system that may be of genetic or viral origin.

multiple sclerosis

1. A chronic disease of the central nervous system characterized by the hardening of patches of tissue in the brain and spinal cord . The cause of this disease has to do with damage to the sheathes of nerves, and there is no specific treatment. It occurs in varying degrees of severity and, in the worst case, can result in permanent paralysis .

Word History and Origins

Origin of multiple sclerosis¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

People in the clinical at-risk groups include anyone with conditions that affect breathing, some heart conditions, kidney or liver disease, diabetes and some conditions that affect the brain or nerves, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy.

From BBC

And he spoke of the "nightmare" of learning wife Sarra had multiple sclerosis, and having to break the news to their two young children.

From BBC

Following a scan, wife Sarra learned in November 2023 she had multiple sclerosis, only sharing the news with her sister.

From BBC

In his first TV interview since then, Sir Chris tells BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent of the "absolute shock and horror" he felt at his initial diagnosis, the "nightmare" of learning wife Sarra had multiple sclerosis, and having to break the news to their two young children.

From BBC

Actor Teri Garr, who was Oscar-nominated for ‘Tootsie’ and stood out in ‘Young Frankenstein,’ died Tuesday after a long battle with multiple sclerosis.

From Los Angeles Times