How Long Can MS Patients Live?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Average life span of

25 to 35 years after the diagnosis of MS

is made are often stated. Some of the most common causes of death in MS patients are secondary complications resulting from immobility, chronic urinary tract infections, compromised swallowing and breathing.

Does MS shorten your life?

It’s a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild. In many cases, it’s possible to treat symptoms.

Average life expectancy is slightly reduced for people with MS

. It’s most commonly diagnosed in people in their 20s and 30s, although it can develop at any age.

How long can a person live with MS?

In a large 2015 study published in the journal Neurology, scientists compared 5,797 people who had MS with 28,807 people who didn’t but who did have things in common like age and location. The study found that people with MS lived to be

75.9 years old

, on average, compared to 83.4 years old for those without.

Does MS get worse with age?

About 15 percent of people with MS are diagnosed with the primary progressive form. PPMS usually appears during

the mid to late 30s

. In PPMS, nervous system damage and symptoms steadily get worse over time.

What are the final stages of multiple sclerosis?

  • Vision problems, including blurriness or blindness.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Difficulty with coordination and balance.
  • Problems with walking and standing.
  • Feelings of numbness, prickling, or pain.
  • Partial or complete paralysis.
  • Difficulty speaking.

Do all MS patients end up in a wheelchair?

Only 25 percent of people with MS use a wheelchair or stay in bed because they are unable to walk, according to a survey completed before the new disease-modifying drugs became available.

How bad is multiple sclerosis?

MS isn’t a fatal condition in most cases, and

most people with MS have a close-to-normal life expectancy

. But since the disease varies so much from person to person, it can be difficult for doctors to predict whether their condition will worsen or improve.

Can MS be stopped if caught early?

Starting treatment early generally provides the

best chance at slowing the progression of MS

. It reduces the inflammation and damage to the nerve cells that cause your disease to worsen. Early treatment with DMTs and other therapies for symptom management may also reduce pain and help you better manage your condition.

What are the four stages of MS?

  • Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) This is the first episode of symptoms caused by inflammation and damage to the myelin covering on nerves in the brain or spinal cord. …
  • Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) …
  • Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) …
  • Primary-progressive MS (PPMS)

Is MS considered a disability?

If you have

Multiple Sclerosis

, often known as MS, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits if your condition has limited your ability to work. To qualify and be approved for disability benefits with MS, you will need to meet the SSA’s Blue Book listing 11.09.

What foods are bad for MS?

It’s recommended that people with MS avoid certain foods, including

processed meats

, refined carbs, junk foods, trans fats, and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Does heat make MS worse?

Many people with MS experience a

temporary worsening

of their symptoms when the weather is very hot or humid, or when they run a fever. These temporary changes can result from even a slight elevation in core body temperature (one-quarter to one-half of a degree).

Is MS a critical illness?

As Multiple Sclerosis is

classed as a Critical Illness

it is unlikely you will secure this type of cover.

Should I date a girl with MS?

“MS is a complex disease,” she says. “It can be hard to talk about or explain [to a partner] why some days you feel fine and other days you don’t. It could make dating harder when you’re not sure how you will feel.” MS can also

impact sexual feelings and function

— a big part of most romantic relationships.

Does MS change your personality?

While many with MS will experience depression or anxiety at some point,

more rarely

, some people experience changes to their emotions or behaviour that don’t seem to make sense, or that they aren’t able to control.

Is MS worse than lupus?

Yet there are differences as well. In general,

lupus does more generalized damage to your body than MS

, which primarily damages the nervous system.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.