We are constantly learning more about MS. There are genetic and environmental components to it: a parent may pass on the predisposition for an autoimmune disease to their child. Doesn’t mean it will be passed on. Doesn’t mean that if it is passed on that anything (like a virus) will ever trigger the autoimmune response.

The general population has <1% chance of contracting MS. The chance increases in families where a first-degree relative of a person with MS has the disease. The chance increases in families where a first-degree relative has MS to 1-3%. An identical twin runs a nearly 30% chance of acquiring MS whereas a non-identical twin has only a 4% chance if the other twin has the disease.

There is currently no cure for MS. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable. You never know when an attack will occur, how long it will last, or how severe it will be.

Treatment goals for MS are to reduce the number of attacks, improve recovery from attacks, slow MS’s progression, and relieve complications due to the loss of function (i.e. numbness, weakness, loss of muscle coordination, problems with vision, speech, bladder control, etc.).

I had over 30 lesions before I was ever diagnosed (found it when I had an MRI for something else). The attacks were just in parts of my brain that didn’t cause noticeable symptoms.

Here’s are two easy to understand articles http://www.medicinenet.com/multiple_sclerosis/article.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/alternative_therapy_for_multiple_sclerosis/article.htm

The National MS Society has a wealth of information. Health care professionals often refer patients/family/friends to it. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx
Includes info and newsletters for kids if you have kids.

I also like the "MS for Dummies" book. For me MS was the devil I knew since my mom and aunt have it. But the book was a good reference for my husband. Plus there were tips I hadn’t heard of or thought about.
References :
Me, RN with MS

I have been living with MS since 1996 and the main purpose of doing my website was (and is) to communicate in laymen terms what is MS and its symptoms.

I hope the site is of help and if you need anymore help you can respond here or contact me at the site.

Best regards and be well,
Alex
References :
http://www.ms-multiple-sclerosis-symptoms.com

Or you can choose to use the answers you have received on this website which are almost entirely incorrect. Public websites like this one are notorious for delivering erroneous information.
References :
I have had MS for 20+ years.

Your local MS society will be a great resource for information and should be able to point you in the right direction.
There are some booklets on the MS Australia website which you may find useful - ‘What Everyone Should Know About MS’ and ‘MS: The Mystery Disease’ can be accessed here - http://www.mssociety.org.au/booklets.asp
‘What Everyone Should Know About MS’ is a great overview.
Thanks
References :
http://www.mssociety.org.au/booklets.asp

Since this is an immune system related disease, the preventative medications can help to slow the course of the disease, and to lessen the symptoms.

People "get it" when the immune system decides that the white matter (the insulation around the nerves) is the enemy, and attacks it like a foreign substance. These attacks can happen at any time, and the damage can heal up quickly or slowly; and it can sometimes leave a person with problems after it it done.

Hope this adds to your understanding.
You can message me with any questions.
References :
Occupational Therapist

From what you have written here, it could sound like an issue with your diet. Are you drinking enough water? Eating healthily? Teenagers your age need to eat properly because your bodies are growing and maturing, add to that that you you are cross-country runner, and it becomes even more important that you take good care of yourself.

I would suggest that you go for a check-up, though, and tell your doctor what you’ve told us.
References :
Diagnosed with MS in 2003.