(CNN) — Actress Christina Applegate has announced that she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
The 49-year-old woman, known for her roles in “Bad moms” (“Bad mothers”, in Spain; “The club of rebellious mothers”, in Latin America), “Married… with children” and “Dead for me”, said in a Tweet posted overnight that she was diagnosed “a few months ago.”
“It has been a strange journey. But I have received so much support from people I know who also have this condition, ”Applegate wrote. “It has been a difficult road. But as we all know, the road continues. Unless some jerk blocks it. “
Multiple sclerosis affects the central nervous system and is considered an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks its own healthy cells. It affects the quality of life and can be disabling.
There is no cure for multiple sclerosis, which is often called MS, but many people are able to control their symptoms and adapt to new lifestyles after diagnosis.
The disease begins when a person’s immune system attacks the nerve fiber coverings throughout the body. These protective nerve sheaths are called myelin and they help with nerve communication.
When myelin is destroyed, it exposes the nerves, slowing down communication between these cells. The signs and symptoms are related to the damage caused.
Researchers believe that the disease is the result of environmental and genetic factors, but the underlying cause is unknown.
More than 2.3 million people are diagnosed with MS worldwide, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Nearly 1 million people over the age of 18 are living with an MS diagnosis in the US, the nonprofit adds.
This is not the first health problem Applegate has faced.
In 2008, he made the decision to remove both breasts in a double mastectomy.
With information from: CNN
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