MS is not a terminal illness. However, it is a lifelong condition, so once you have it, you have it for life. Like everyone else, you are most likely to die from natural causes and can expect to have a relatively normal life span.

MS is complex and it is impossible to predict how you may be affected over time. As a result, it is as difficult to determine the life expectancy of someone with MS as it is for someone who does not have MS.

Research suggests that:
• the overall life expectancy of people with MS is only slightly lower than that of the general population
• since the 1960s, increase in life expectancy for people with MS has grown more rapidly than in the general population
• improved healthcare for people with severe MS has been effective in reducing premature deaths

The impact of MS on life expectancy
It is very unlikely that MS lesions will lead to death. If your MS symptoms become very severe, they may affect other bodily systems. And in very rare instances, where a lesion occurs on the part of the brain that regulates breathing and consciousness, a person could die if medical care is unavailable.

However, most healthcare professionals are well aware of potentially dangerous complications, such as choking because of swallowing difficulties or serious kidney problems as a result of continence difficulties. Using this knowledge, they are able to provide preventative measures to lower the risk of such things happening.

Although there is no clear explanation, there is some evidence to show that the rate of suicide is slightly higher in people with MS than the general population. This could be because depression is a common symptom, which often goes undetected and untreated. If you feel persistently low or think you may be depressed, you should contact your GP, nurse or neurologist. There are a number of treatments to help you manage your depression and changes in your emotions. Talking to a counsellor or being part of a support group can also help when learning to cope with your diagnosis or the progression of your MS.