Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Multiple Sclerosis
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the disease?
There is no known prevention for multiple sclerosis.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Over the long term, the level of disability increases. People with the relapsing-remitting form of MS may notice sudden changes in function. People who have chronic, progressive MS will have a gradual loss of function.
A recent study showed that irreversible disability occurred earlier in individuals who had chronic, progressive MS from the onset. People with the relapsing-remitting form went longer before having irreversible disabilities. Once the irreversible disabilities started, however, these progressed at the same rate in both groups. MS eventually causes irreversible disabilities. It cannot be cured and never goes away.
Death in people with MS is generally related to complications of their disabilities. Common causes include:
What are the risks to others?
Multiple sclerosis is not contagious and poses no risk to others. However, it does tend to run in families.