Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the protective layer around the nerves. It affects more than 2.8 million people worldwide, most often younger adults between ages 20 and 40 –  with women significantly more affected. What are the symptoms? What should newly diagnosed individuals know? In this episode, Robert Bermel, MD, Director of the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis at the Cleveland Clinic, explains what happens after an MS diagnosis, from early signs and the importance of timely treatment to lifestyle strategies and long-term planning. We also hear from Hanna Jones, a 31-year-old MS advocate and blogger, who shares her personal journey of being diagnosed and how education helped her face her diagnosis. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, a caregiver, or simply curious, this episode offers insight, guidance, and hope.

<p><a href="https://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/what-is-multiple-sclerosis" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/what-is-multiple-sclerosis&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1752332057531000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2_QMq_ER6MCkU7DqSYh9n4">Multiple sclerosis (MS)</a>&nbsp;is a disease in which the body&rsquo;s immune system attacks the protective layer around the nerves. It affects more than 2.8 million people worldwide, most often younger adults between ages 20 and 40 &ndash;&nbsp; with women significantly more affected. What are the symptoms? What should newly diagnosed individuals know? In this episode,&nbsp;<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/9116-robert-bermel" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/9116-robert-bermel&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1752332057531000&amp;usg=AOvVaw189X-nCBHeH3KcDNDR4Ztb">Robert Bermel, MD</a>, Director of the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis at the Cleveland Clinic, explains what happens after an MS diagnosis, from early signs and the importance of timely treatment to lifestyle strategies and long-term planning. We also hear from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/hannajjones/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/hannajjones/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1752332057531000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0yuQ8tRr8tDqMUOODsj9af">Hanna Jones</a>, a 31-year-old MS advocate and blogger, who shares her personal journey of being diagnosed and how education helped her face her diagnosis. Whether you&rsquo;re newly diagnosed, a caregiver, or simply curious, this episode offers insight, guidance, and hope.</p>

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.

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