Understanding MS: What It Is and Why There's Hope


The word "incurable" can sound scary. But a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, or MS, is not the end of the story. Doctors and scientists are learning more every year, and treatments keep getting better.

"The treatment of MS is a fast-moving field," said Maxim Hammer, M.D., MBA, chief of Neurology at St. Clair Health. "I hope a cure will be found in my lifetime."

What Is MS?

Your brain sends messages to the rest of your body through nerves. MS is a disease that damages those nerves. Here's an easy way to picture it. Think about the copper wires in your walls. Each wire has a rubber cover that keeps the electricity flowing the right way. Your nerves have a cover too. It is called myelin. In MS, the body's own defense system attacks the myelin by mistake. When that cover gets damaged, the "electrical" signals in your body don't travel as well. That's when problems start.

What Are the Signs?

MS can look different in each person. Common signs include:

  • Numbness or tingling

  • Weakness

  • Trouble seeing clearly

  • Trouble walking

  • Feeling very tired

One thing to know: MS usually does not cause pain.

What Causes MS?

Scientists now believe MS often starts because of a common virus. It is the same virus that causes mono (short for mononucleosis). When you catch a virus, your body makes tiny fighters called antibodies to destroy it. After the virus is gone, the antibodies stay behind, ready in case the virus comes back. Sometimes, by accident, these antibodies bump into the myelin cover on your nerves. The myelin looks a little like the virus to them. So they attack it, thinking they are keeping you safe. That mistaken attack is what damages the nerves.

Who Gets MS?

MS is most often found in people between 20 and 40 years old. It can happen to men and women.

How Do Doctors Find MS?

There is no single symptom that points only to MS, so doctors look carefully. The main test is a special picture of the brain called an MRI. It can show where the nerves are damaged. Sometimes doctors also test the fluid around the spine to look for those antibodies.

"We suspect MS when a younger patient has slowly lost some function over time," Dr. Hammer said. "The MRI can show a new flareup, and sometimes it shows older ones too."

How Is MS Treated?

Treatment has two goals.

The first goal is to calm down a flareup when it happens. The second goal is to prevent future flareups before they start. There are also medicines that help with tiredness, stiffness, and other daily problems.

No two people are treated exactly the same. "We think about a person's age, health, and how serious the disease is," Dr. Hammer said. "We also think about what each person is comfortable with. Some people don't like needles, so we plan the treatment around that."

Ways to Feel Your Best

People with MS can do a lot to stay healthy:

  • Eat a balanced diet.

  • Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D level. Low vitamin D can lead to flareups.

  • Cut back on alcohol, and don't smoke.

  • Stay cool in hot weather, since heat can make symptoms worse.

Reasons for Hope

"There is no full cure yet, but treatment keeps improving," Dr. Hammer said. "With the right care, most people can keep doing the things they love. Just don't ignore the symptoms. The sooner we start treatment, the more we can protect."

Recognized as a leader in stroke neurology, dementia and general neurology, Maxim Hammer, M.D., MBA, is committed to reshaping neurological care to meet the unique needs of each patient.

At St. Clair Hospital, Dr. Hammer is bringing his broader vision for neurological care to life by expanding services, including establishing a multidisciplinary approach to treating dementia that includes psychiatry, psychology and social work. His research background in novel approaches to acute stroke care has inspired new ways to close the gap between inpatient and post-hospital care, primarily through advanced telemedicine. And he is working with the St. Clair neurology team to revolutionize care for movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.

Dr. Hammer earned his medical degree at Albany Medical College, Albany, N.Y., and completed his neurology residency at Cleveland Clinic, where he was elected chief resident. He also completed a Vascular Neurology Fellowship at UPMC. Dr. Hammer practices with St. Clair Medical Group and sees patients at the St. Clair Professional Office Building in Mt. Lebanon.

Please call (412) 942-6300 to schedule an appointment.