Learning the Lingo

From antibodies to dysphagia, living with MS can feel like you’re learning a whole new language! It may feel overwhelming at times but getting clued up on what these terms can be very helpful when it comes to having positive conversations with your doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals

Look it up!

Translate tricky MS terms using our handy MS dictionary:

ageusiadictionary

Ageusia

Taste buds in a tangle? Meet ageusia.

albumin

Albumin

Protein that keeps your bloodstream moving.

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Allodynia

Don’t like people being all up in your face?

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Alopecia

The immune system malfunction is linked to hair loss.

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Antibody

The secret to defending against bacteria and viruses.

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Ataxia

Unsteady on your feet? Learn more about ataxia.

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Autoimmune Disease

When the immune system gets a bit confused...

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Axon

The middle men of the nervous system, often impacted by MS.

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Babinski Reflex

A test for MS which focuses feet first.

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Biomarker

The different measures of MS activity and progression.

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Bladder dysfunction

When the link between nerves and bladder goes wrong.

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Blood-brain barrier

Protecting your brain from viruses and harm, 24/7.

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Brain

We all need something to fill the space between our ears... right?

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Brain Fog

AKA cog fog, difficulties in keeping thoughts straight.

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Caregiver

Often the kindest, coolest people on earth!

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Central nervous system

The CNS – the conductor of our bodies’ orchestras.

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Cerebrum

Our brains’ mission control panel – it’s amazing!

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Chronic

A categorization for long-term illnesses.

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Clinical Trials

Breaking ground in science to bring new kinds of care.

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Clinically isolated syndrome

A one-off ‘attack’ of the body’s own immune system.

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Cog fog

AKA brain fog, difficulties in keeping thoughts straight.

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Cognitive Impairment

A slight decline in memory is often linked to MS.

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Computerized Axial Tomography

An x-ray of the entire body to help pinpoint MS symptoms.

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Degenerative Disease

The name for health conditions that worsen over time.

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Demyelination

The eroding of the nerve fibers’ protective coating.

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Diplopia

Diplopi-huh?!? Don’t sweat, it’s also known as double vision.

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Disease Modifying drugs

The kinds of treatments that can help slow MS progression.

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Double Vision

Seeing double? That could be linked to your MS.

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Dysarthria

The slurring of speech caused by trouble controlling muscles.

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Dysesthesia

Caused by abnormalities in the spinal cord.

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Dysmetria

Two left feet? Dysmetria can affect the arms too.

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Dysphagia

Trouble swallowing food, water or saliva.

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Dysphonia

Problems coordinating throat and mouth muscles.

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Encephalomyelitis

The less ‘catchy’ term for Multiple Sclerosis.

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Epstein Barr Virus

A.K.A the ‘kissing disease’ could be linked to MS.

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Exacerbation

The impact of MS symptom relapses.

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Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)

A neurological exam to help assess the MS care needed.

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Fatigue

More than just tiredness, fatigue often strikes thanks to MS.

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Flare-up

When MS symptoms reappear after a quiet period.

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Foot Drop

The clue’s in the name, but what’s the link to MS?

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Gadolinium

A medical compound to help identify new lesions

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Gait

Your strut, your walk… sometimes impacted by MS.

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Gray Matter

The darker tissue of the brain and spinal cord.

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Hypogeusia

A reduction in ability to detect sweet, sour, or salty tastes.

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Immunosuppression

When the immune system attacks healthy cells.

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Incontinence

Maybe not fun to talk about, but important to know what to do…

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Inflammation

Fluid accumulation to protect the body from further harm.

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Infusion

A kind of MS treatment where medicines are injected.

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Lesions

An area of damage on tissue caused by injury or disease

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Lumbar Puncture

A common procedure to help diagnose MS.

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

The key tool in helping identify MS lesions.

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MS

MS, Multiple Sclerosis… what’s in a name?

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MS Clusters

Multiple MS cases occurring over a short period of time or in one location.

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MS Gene (NR1H3)

Breaking down the link between genes and MS

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MS Hug

Not so friendly, it’s a band of pain around your torso.

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MSQLI

A questionnaire to help measure QoL with MS.

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Multiple Sclerosis

MS, Multiple Sclerosis… what’s in a name?

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Muscle Stiffness

Trouble moving around in daily life.

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Myelin

The protective wrapping for our nerve fibres.

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Myelin Sheath

The insulation space that protects nerve fibers.

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Nervous System

Co-ordinates all your actions, both voluntary and involuntary.

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Neurodegenerative Disease

Conditions characterized by progressive nervous system dysfunction.

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Neurologist

Clever scientists specializing in the nervous system.

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Neuron

Clever scientists specializing in the nervous system.

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NEDA 4

A way for doctors to evaluate MS symptoms.

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Nocturia

Up and down in the night going to the bathroom?

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Occupational Therapist

The king or queen of helping you navigate daily activities.

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Ophthalmologist

The eye specialist who helps with MS-related vision issues.

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Optics Neuritis

The attack of the optic nerve by the body’s immune system.

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Paresthesia

Burning, prickling, tingling… It could be Paraesthesia.

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Physical Therapist

Your go-to for help with mobility, balance and posture.

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Plaques

Damaged tissue that stops signals travelling round the body.

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PML

A rare virus linked to MS involving progressive brain damage.

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Primary Progressive MS

Worsening symptoms from the get-go, with no relapses or remission.

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Progressive-Relapsing MS

A rare kind of MS affecting just 5% of the population.

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QoL (Quality of Life)

A phrase you might hear from your medical team.

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Relapse

Flare up of new MS symptoms, or the return of old ones.

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Relapsing-Remitting MS

The most common kind of MS; symptoms flare and quiet.

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Remission

Ahhhh, the most beautiful word in the MS language.

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Remyelination

Repair of nerve fibres to help messages travel around the body.

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Secondary- Progressive MS

The second phase of Multiple Sclerosis.

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Sexual Dysfunction

Being open about the impact of MS between the sheets.

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Sleep Apnea

Feel like you can’t catch Zz’s? Learn about sleep apnea.

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Spasticity

Involuntary muscle spasms, usually in the legs.

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Speech Pathologist

Experts to help with speech and swallowing issues.

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Spinal Tap

A common procedure to help diagnose MS.

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Tremors

Shaking symptoms are often linked to MS.

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Trigeminal Neuralgia

The feeling of acute pain in the face.

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Trigger

Knowing what causes symptom flares can help keep them under control.

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Uhthoff’s Phenomenon

The link between body temperature & MS symptoms.

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Vertigo

Whether dizzy spells or the room spinning, vertigo can be linked to MS.

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White Matter

A core part of the brain made up of axons.

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World MS Day

The highlight of the year! Do you know its purpose?