What is multiple sclerosis, the incurable disease Christina Applegate is living with

Time of India

06-05-2025

Actress Christina Applegate, who first made her diagnosis official in 2021, has said living with multiple sclerosis is 'the worst thing I've ever gone through'. The progressive nerve disorder also known as MS could be harder for some people, causing significant disability.
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Applegate has in the past shared how she would 'lay in bed screaming' from the pain and that also led her to be hospitalized 30 times. On Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, the actress shared her health update, saying she rarely leaves home now. 'This is the worst thing I've ever had in my life,' she told O'Brien. "It's the worst thing I've ever gone through.'
Applegate also described her early symptoms to O'Brien. 'I was losing balance, but the pain was extraordinary.
And when I say numb, it's numb, but it hurts.'
Multiple sclerosis doesn't have a cure, but its symptoms can be managed. Many known celebrities have been affected by it. Singer Art Alexakis, talk show host Montel Williams, Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne, actress Selma Blair, and CNN anchor John King are among people who got MS, short for multiple sclerosis.
Selma Blair recently shared a happy update about her health when she told People she's "doing amazingly well" and is "truly relapse-free" from symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
She had shared her diagnosis over six years back.
"I spent so much of my life so tired from being unwell that I think I just was trying to get through the day," she said. "And now it's like, wait, I realize I don't know what my goals are," Blair said.
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune and progressive disease wherein the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers, known as myelin, as per mayoclinic.
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This interferes with the communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The disease may can cause permanent damage to the nerve fibres.
The common symptoms of MS include numbness or tingling, lack of coordination, weakness, difficulty in walking, and vision changes.
Symptoms of MS also depend on the person, the location of damage in the nervous system and how bad the damage is to the nerve fibers. Some people may lose the ability to walk on their own or move at all, while others may have long periods between attacks without any new symptoms, called remission.
The most common type of MS is relapsing-remitting MS, where individuals go through cycles of new or worsening symptoms (relapses) followed by periods of partial or full recovery (remission), which can last for months or years.
Over time, many people with this form may transition to secondary-progressive MS, marked by a steady progression of symptoms, especially mobility issues, with or without occasional remissions.
In contrast, primary-progressive MS involves a gradual and continuous worsening of symptoms from the beginning, without distinct relapses or remissions. The severity and progression of MS can vary widely from person to person.
How to manage MS
While the progressive disorder can't be fully cured, making lifestyle adjustments, undergoing medical treatments, and supportive therapies to help reduce symptoms can help slow disease progression.
Staying physically active with low-impact exercises like yoga or swimming can help maintain strength and mobility, while a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods supports overall health.
Medications, including disease-modifying therapies, can reduce the frequency of relapses and manage symptoms like fatigue, pain, or spasticity.
Stress management techniques such as mindfulness, adequate sleep, and counseling are also important, as stress can trigger or worsen symptoms. Regular check-ups with a neurologist and a personalized care plan are essential for long-term management.
Christina Applegate Opens Up About Health Battle, Painful Effects Of Multiple Sclerosis